Dec. 29, 2006

Orem, UT- The Utah Valley State men's basketball team returns to the court for the first time since the Christmas holiday to host the University of Albany on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the McKay Center. The game can be heard live on 1400 KSTAR.

This is the second meeting between the two schools. Last year the Wolverines lost 72-61 in Albany.

"They really whooped us last year," Utah Valley State coach Dick Hunsaker said. "Albany is very veteran talented and a confident team. We'll have our hands full."

Albany is 7-4 and riding a five game win streak after beating Utah 59-58 in the Huntsman Center on Thursday. Brent Wilson and Jason Siggers each scored 22 points. Wilson also had a game-high nine rebounds. Albany hit 11 3-pointers in the win.

Jamar Wilson leads the Great Danes in scoring at 17.2 points a game while Siggers is scoring 15.1 points and Brent Wilson is adding 13.5 points a game.

Jamar Wilson also leads Albany in rebounding at 6.6 boards a game while Brent Wilson is bringing down six rebounds a game.

As a team Albany is scoring 68 points a game and shooting 44 percent from the field. Albany plays in the America East Conference and won its conference last year to advance to the NCAA tournament.

Utah Valley is 7-5 and off to its best start since making the jump Division I competition. David Heck leads the Wolverines in scoring at 13.8 points a game and in rebounding at five boards a game. Ryan Toolson is also averaging 13.7 points a contest.

Utah Valley State is shooting 46 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point land. The Wolverines are also ranked 12th nationally in free throw percentage at 76.1.

Following Saturday's game the Wolverines return to action on January 2 when they host UMKC at 7 p.m. The two teams played in Kansas City on December 5 where they Wolverines won 91-79.