The High Point men's basketball team shot nearly 70 percent from the floor in the second half to overcome a 12-point halftime deficit and earn an impressive 82-69 victory at Utah Valley State on Friday night.
The Panthers connected on 23 of 33 shot attempts in the closing half and turned up the defensive pressure to earn a split of their two-game swing through the state of Utah. HPU improves to 7-3 on the season and handed the Wolverines (6-8) their first home loss of the season and just their third defeat in the past three years (25-3). High Point also became the first team this year to eclipse the 80-point mark against Utah Valley.
Sophomore Arizona Reid finished the game with his fourth double-double of the season scoring a team high 22 points, including 20 in the second half, and pulling down 13 rebounds. Mike Jefferson also topped 20 points finishing with a career best 21 on the night including three treys. Senior Issa Konare added 13 points in the HPU victory.
"This is a big win for our program," said HPU head coach Bart Lundy. "Coming in here and getting a win against a team that rarely loses at home is an accomplishment for this group. I thought we played with a lot of determination and effort in the second half. Our defense really sparked our comeback and allowed us to get things rolling on offense. This is a great way to end our non-conference schedule."
Utah Valley State grabbed control of the game midway through the first half using an 11-0 run over a three-minute span to lead 21-13 with 7:47 left in the first half. The Wolverines capitalized on a sluggish High Point offense and strong rebounding to build a double-figure halftime advantage (37-25).
High Point turned things around quickly in the second stanza outscoring Utah Valley 22-4 in the first six minutes of play. Reid led the HPU charge scoring nine of his points during the stretch that included a 13-0 surge to close the run.
The Wolverines would close the gap to two points (51-49) with 10:35 left to play but could get no closer as the Panthers kept things going and pushed back in front by double digits. Jefferson nailed six consecutive free throws in the final minute to secure the victory for HPU.
Sylvester Allison scored 22 points to lead a quartet of Utah Valley players in double figures while Ben Devoe added 10 points and nine rebounds. UVSC held a 10 rebound advantage at the half but ended the game trailing HPU, 37-33, on the glass.
The Panthers will head back east on Saturday morning and then turn their attention to Big South Conference play beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at Liberty at 8 p.m. High Point's conference home opener is slated for Jan. 7 versus Charleston Southern.
