OREM, Utah – The OUAZ men's basketball team gave Utah Valley (NCAA DI) a challenge for the first half of their game on Tuesday night before the home team pulled away in the second half for a 101-70 win.
 
The game was an exhibition for OUAZ. Utah Valley improved to 2-1 with the win.
 
OUAZ was down eight early in the first half, but the Spirit went on an 11-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 18-17 with 9:30 remaining in the half. The Spirit would lead again at 22-21 just 94 seconds later and then head to halftime trailing the Wolverines, 44-40.
 
UVU took control of the game quickly in the second half. After OUAZ scored the first two baskets of the half to tie the game at 44-44, the Wolverines went on a 28-7 run that included 14 straight points during one stretch.
 
Brian Carey led the Spirit with 18 points and five assists. Elijah Simmons added 15 points and Shazier Lawson posted 14 points and nine rebounds.
 
OUAZ shot 41.3 percent for the game and went 6 of 17 from beyond the arc. They scored 28 points in the paint with 18 fast break points. UVU ended the game at 52.9 percent shooting with 56 points in the paint.
 
The Spirit will now return home to face Benedictine Mesa on Saturday at Faith Arena. The second meeting of the season between the two teams will tip at 2 p.m.