Gilmore shot 6-of-10 from the field in scoring 12 points, plus he pulled down four rebounds, dished out four assists, and earned three steals. Gweth also scored 12 points, including the 1,000th point of his SeattleU career, grabbed seven rebounds, and picked up a game-high five steals, while Jones overcame foul trouble to contribute 11 points and three rebounds.
The lead changed six times in the second half, especially midway in the period when the two teams basically traded baskets. After Jourdain Scoubes hit a three-pointer with five minutes remaining in regulation to give the Wolverines a 53-51 lead, Jones answered with his own three-pointer to give the Redhawks the lead for good. Gweth notched a steal and a layup with three minutes to go, extending the SeattleU lead to five at 58-53.
Three-pointers by Tyray Petty and Scoubes pulled Utah Valley within one at 62-61 with 1:08 left on the clock. Gweth was fouled and hit both free throws, but the Wolverines stayed in the game thanks to a layup by Justin Baker. Aaron Broussard (Federal Way, Wash.), shooting 50 percent from the free throw line coming into the game, made two free throws with 18 seconds remaining, and the SeattleU defense forced Scoubes to throw up a contested three-point shot that fell short, clinching the Redhawks' sixth victory in games decided by five points or less.
"We got back to basics tonight. The guys fought hard, shared the basketball, and played with enthusiasm and intensity. That is what we need to be successful," head coach Cameron Dollar said after the game.
Mike Boxley (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) also reached double figures in scoring, hitting 4-of-5 shots from the field on his way to a 10-point, six-rebounds performance. Broussard and Garrett Lever (Phoenix, Ariz.) each scored six points, while Cervante Burrell (Sacramento, Calif.) contributed five points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Charles Garcia (Los Angeles, Calif.), the team leader in scoring and rebounding coming into the game, finished with two points and two rebounds in 15 minutes of action on the court. He sat on the bench for the final 11:42 of the game after committing a couple of defensive miscues that allowed Utah Valley to stay in the contest.
Utah Valley (7-10) was led by Scoubes, who hit four three-pointers in scoring 16 points along with eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Petty and Jordan Swarbrick each scored 14 points, with Swarbrick also earning five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocked shots.
The Wolverines shot 40 percent from the field, but did hit 11-of-23 attempts from behind the three-point line. Seattle University shot 43.1 percent from the field, but only made 3-of-15 attempts from behind the three-point arc. The Redhawks won the rebounding battle, 43-32, allowing only five offensive rebounds by Utah Valley.
Seattle University (8-11) will look to avenge a loss to Cal State Northridge on Jan. 11, welcoming the Matadors to KeyArena Tuesday, Jan. 19. Dave Grosby and Gary Hill, Jr., will broadcast all of the action from courtside on 710 ESPN Seattle, beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m. leading up to the team introductions at 7:05 p.m. and tip-off at 7:10 p.m.