Utah Valley Edges Austin Peay, 84-77

First Game of Dr. Pepper Classic

Friday, December 28, 2012 - by B.B. Branton

Nick Thompson had an impressive triple, double in leading Utah Valley State to a 84-77 win over Austin Peay tonight at McKenzie Arena in the opening game of the 23rd annual Dr. Pepper Classic.

Thompson totaled 13 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, while teammate Ben Aird contributed 26 points and eight rebounds.

Austin Peay (4-9), which led 40-38 at halftime, was led by Travis Betran with a game-high 27 points and Anthony Campbell with 22.

Utah Valley (7-8) advances to the Dr.Pepper Classic final Saturday night at 7 p.m. against the winner of tonight's second game between High Point and host Chattanooga.

In the 2011 final, UTC defeated Utah Valley, 74-59. The Mocs' Drazen Zlovaric had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Traveling Team: The victorious Wolverines have now played in six states outside of Utah - Playing in Six States … after today’s game, the Wolverines will have played in nine games in six states outside of Utah (4-5) … Indiana (L), North Carolina (W,L) , California (W,L,L), Washington (L) and Alabama  (W) and Tennessee (W).

7 p.m. Game - High Point (4-6) vs. Chattanooga (3-8) ...

The High Point (NC) Panthers are led by redshirt freshman John Brown (18.1 ppg) and graduate student Allan Chaney (13.8 ppg, 8.1 rbpg).

Human Interest Note: 6-9 Allan Chaney is a graduate student and did not play college basketball for 44 months  … due to a heart ailment - viral myocarditis — an inflammation of the heart that can be fatal  - plus sitting out a year after transferring to Va. Tech from U. of Florida … did not play from March 5, 2009 at Florida to Nov.9, 2012 at High Point ..  started at U. of Florida in the fall of 2008 then transferred to Va. Tech but never played … The NCAA has given him a medical redshirt year for 2013-14.

Chaney averaged 26 ppg and 15 rbpg at New London (Conn.) HS …

UTC is 21-1 in first round games in the Dr. Pepper Classic and 36-8 overall. The Mocs have won 14 of 23 title.

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net


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