Fast start gets Utah Valley State past CS Bakersfield, 74-69

OREM, Utah (AP) Zach Nelson knocked down seven 3-pointers to amass a season-high 29 points and Utah Valley State used a fast start to hold off Cal State Bakersfield, 74-69 Saturday night.

Utah Valley (11-18, 5-9 WAC) used a 10-0 run early in the first half to build a 10-point lead and maintained it to take a 39-29 advantage into intermission. Nelson knocked down three 3-pointers in the first half.

Nelson finished the game hitting 8 of 13 from the field, including 7 of 11 from beyond the arc, while the Wolverines were 22 of 43 from the field (51.2 percent) and 14 of 25 from distance. Donte Williams finished with 19 points and Marcel Davis added another 11.

Aly Ahmed finished with 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Roadrunners (13-18, 7-7). Dashawn Richmond added 14 points and Javonte Maynor had 12.

Both teams play first-round WAC tournament games Thursday in Las Vegas.