OREM, Utah – Western State Colorado University men's basketball team walked into the UCCU Center to take on Division I opponent Utah Valley University in an exhibition game last night. The team walked out with a new perspective on the season ahead of them after a 113-87 loss.
 
Despite the loss, the team put up an outstanding 87 points while shooting 43 percent from the field and 45 percent from beyond the arc. Four Mountaineers scored in double-digits, as the team put up more points than they did in all but four games last season.
 
Junior Will Duggan led the charge for Western, putting up 16 points while shooting five of 11 from the field. The guard also dropped three treys and dished out six assists.
 
Also for Western, Collin Smith produced 14 points, earning seven shots from the foul line where he made six of his points. Forward Patrick Sniff made a dozen points and had seven boards while playing a team-high 31 minutes. Also Ben Beauchamp had 10 points and four assists.
 
Branden Cosby-Lee also had seven boards.
 
Fast breaks and points off of turnovers proved to be the difference in the game. Utah Valley had 27 points off of turnovers and 20 fast break points, compared to Western's 13 and six.  Western played well though, cutting the lead to single digits with three minutes left in the first half and holding it to just a nine point lead at half.
 
Western will head to finish their exhibition season against the University of Wyoming this Friday in Laramie, Wyoming. The Mountaineers will host the 2016 Comfort Inn Classic Nov. 18^th and 19^th in Paul Wright Gym to kick things off at home. Both games begin at 7 p.m.