Skip to main content

UMKC knocks off Utah Valley in WAC tournament 80-78

  • Author:
  • Publish date:

LAS VEGAS (AP) Martez Harrison scored 24 points and sparked a game-changing run to lead fifth-seeded UMKC to a come-from-behind 80-78 victory over fourth-seeded Utah Valley in the opener of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament Thursday.

The Kangaroos (12-18) play top-seeded New Mexico State (22-9) in a semifinal Friday.

Utah Valley had defeated UMKC in their two regular-season meetings and led by 13 with 16:48 remaining.

UMKC took a 71-70 lead off six straight points from Harrison. Jaden Jackson responded with five points for the Wolverines (12-18). Harrison then opened an 8-0 run with a bucket, added another and also grabbed rebound and passed to Thaddeus Smith for a fast-break layup and a 79-75 lead with 2:11 remaining. Cory Cardwell's half-court try missed at the buzzer.

LaVell Boyd scored 18 points and Darius Austin had 12 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for UMKC, which had 17 offensive rebounds for 16-3 edge in second-chance points.

Jackson scored 19 points and Dayon Goodman 18 for Utah Valley.

© 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.