OREM, Utah--First half turnovers proved costly as the Westminster men's basketball fell to the Wolverines in an exhibition game at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah. The Griffins begin the RMAC season at home against MSU Denver on Friday and CCU on Saturday.
 
Both teams struggled with turnovers in the first half, committing a combined total of 22. The Wolverines outscored the Griffins 18-2 off turnovers and ended the half with a 17-point lead, 42-25.
 
Trailing by as much as 20, the Griffins clawed their way back into the second half through better ball possession and determined defending. With a little under six minutes left in the game, Westminster had reduced UVU's lead to just five points but were unable to get any closer as the Wolverines held on for the win, 77-68.
 
Westminster scored eight second chance points, 11 fast break points and the bench contributed 16 second half points. Westminster shot 42% from the field, 31% from three and 78% from the stripe while UVU shot 32% from the field, 22% from three and 17-26 from the stripe.
 
Westminster finished the night shooting 41.1% (23-56) from the field, 27.3% (6-22) from three and 82.6 from the stripe (19-23). They grabbed 37 total rebounds, 28 defensive boards, and four double-digit scorers.
 
Joey Andrews had the hot hand in the first half shooting 5-5 form the field, 1-1 from three and 3-3 from free throws for 14 points. He finished the night as the team's leading scorer with 17 points.
 
Reme Torbert, Taylor Miller and Jarrett Jordan were quiet in the first half but found success in the second. Miller scored 11 in the second to finish with 14, Torbert scored eight to finish with 11 and Jordan put up 11 after a scoreless first half.
 
Andrews led the team with nine rebounds followed by Miller with five.  Brandon Willardson webt to the bench after two fouls in the opening minutes of yhebgame. Willardson, Torbert and Banks were third on the team with four each.
 
The Griffins host MSU Denver on Friday and CCU on Saturday. Both games will tipoff at 5:30 pm at the Behnken Field House. Spectators are not allowed but the games will be streamed live on the RMAC Network and GriffinTV. Live stats will also be available online. Links are available at www.westminstergriffins.com/mbbsched.