Box Score

OREM, Utah--Donte Williams and Marcel Davis scored 16 points each to lead Utah Valley to a 60-52 win against South Dakota Friday at the UCCU Center in what was the season opener for both teams.

Mitch Bruneel had 14 points and Brenden Evans added 10 points for the Wolverines, which avenged a four-point loss to the Coyotes last season in Vermillion.

Utah Valley never trailed. The Wolverines led by as many as 10 points in the first half and by eight, 31-23, at halftime. The Coyotes crawled within two points on several occasions down the stretch, including 45-43 with 3:28 to go, but never got over the hump.

The Coyotes shot 28 percent from the field (15 of 52) including a 4 of 24 effort from the 3-point line in head coach Craig Smith's debut with the team. Tyler Larson made 6 of 12 free throws and scored a team-high 13 points for the Coyotes. Brandon Bos made 7 of 8 free throws and had 12 points. Tre Burnette finished one point and one rebound shy of a double double.

Utah Valley was 2 of 9 from three-point range, but made 24 of 35 free throws. The Wolverines made 7 of 10 from the stripe in the final 1:36 to seal the win.

South Dakota scored 12 points off 17 Utah Valley turnovers and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, which led to 13 second-chance points. Both teams benches combined to total nine points on 3 of 17 shooting.

The Coyotes return to the court at 5 p.m. (CST) Sunday against Stanford of the Pac 12. It will be the first meeting between the two programs.