OREM, Utah (AP) Holton Hunsaker scored 16 points as Utah Valley beat Cal State Bakersfield 64-55 on Friday night to earn the regular season Western Athletic Conference championship in its first year in the league.
Utah Valley built a 16-point lead early in the second half then went without a field goal for over 11 minutes. During that stretch, Bakersfield went on a 24-2 run to take a 45-39 lead with 8:21 left.
Hunsaker's free throw with 3:26 left regained the lead for Utah Valley at 49-48. He then made all six of his free throw attempts in the final 1:16 to secure the win.
Mitch Bruneel had 14 points for Utah Valley (19-10, 13-3) and Ben Aird added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Hunsaker made 13 of 14 free throws, but was just 1 of 11 from the field.
Bakersfield (12-18, 5-11) was led by Issiah Grayson with 18 points.
