OREM. Utah - The Carroll College Men's Basketball team kept things close in an exhibition contest with NCAA Division I opponent, Utah Valley on Monday evening.

The Fighting Saints (0-2) gave the Wolverines (1-0) more than they bargained for on Monday in what was the most impressive game of the young season for Carroll.

A Derek Kramer (Bellevue, Wash. / SO) bucket would start the game and set the tone for what can only be described as a successful night for the Saints.

Utah Valley, the defending WAC Champions, would extend a lead to as large as 11 points in the first half, but a resilient Saints squad would continually find a way to answer. Carroll trailed the Wolverines by just five points at the break, 35-30.

The second half would play out much the same as the opener, with UVU growing a lead out to as large as 16 points, but again, the Saints would answer.

Trailing by 13 with just over six minutes remaining, Carroll would begin their late game push. The Saints would narrow the gap to as little as six points, but simply ran out of time in their comeback attempt, falling 81-73 in the exhibition.

The NCAA Division I Wolverines' bench depth was the ultimate determining factor, UVU got 27 points from their reserves compared to Carroll's 16 bench points.

Kendall Moore (Dayton, Ohio / JR) showed off his ability to score from the point, leading the Saints with 22 points on the night. Andrew Cook (Huntington Beach, Calif. / JR) continued his stellar start to the year with 19 points and six boards, while Zane Foster (Puyallup, Wash. / JR) scored ten and pulled down seven rebounds.

Utah Valley was led by a 25 point performance from Tanner Toolson.

Carroll will return home and begin preparation for the Comfort Suites Classis this weekend, in which they will host both Embry-Riddle, and Corban University on Friday and Saturday.

Visit www.carrollatheltics.com for a preview of that event, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.