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OREM, Utah - Senior center Mitch Patton recorded his fourth career double-double with 26 points and 10 boards, but the Jaguars fell short in its 2013-14 season opener at Utah Valley, 74-66. Holton Hunsaker led four Utah Valley players in double-digits with 18 points and Zach Nelson contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds in the win. 

Two Jaguars who missed nearly all of last season, Ian Chiles and Marcellus Barksdale, both finished Friday's game in double-figures with 14 and 10, respectively. Chiles struggled from the floor, hitting just 5-of-15 shot attempts, while Barksdale had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists in his first career start. 

Patton was the story for the Jaguars though, hitting 9-of-13 shots and 8-of-11 at the free throw line, finishing one point shy of tying his career-high of 27 points. The 6-foot-9 lefty scored 20 of his 26 after halftime. 

"I'm very proud of Mitch," IUPUI Head Coach Todd Howard said. "It was a monster effort in the altitude. 

"For the six guys that are either new or coming off redshirts, they did some things that are indicative of being either a rookie or rusty. We played with heart but the turnovers beat us."

The lead traded hands six times early in the game before six straight points put UVU (1-0) ahead 21-14 midway through the first half. The hosts lead later grew to 33-23 when Nelson collected a steal and raced the other way for a transition basket with 2:16 left before halftime. 

However, IUPUI (0-1) closed the first half well, getting a Justus Stanback jumper and back-to-back layups from Chiles and Barksdale to go into halftime trailing 34-29, despite 10 first half turnovers. 

The Jaguars closed within four on four different occasions in the second half, but was never able to make it a one-possession deficit. Patton tipped-in his own missed with 14:32 to play to make it 45-41, but Hunsaker answered with a circus shot off the glass to push UVU's lead back to six. 

Later, Patton hit a tough bank shot with 6:41 remaining, getting the score to 57-53. After a timeout, UVU got an old fashioned three-point play from Ben Aird, but Patton answered with his own three-play, earning a bloody nose in the process. Once again, UVU countered with two Nelson free throws to stave off the Jaguars. 

Utah Valley went 25-of-28 (89.3 percent) from the free throw line, including hitting all 18 second half attempts. IUPUI was a respectable 19-of-27 (70.4 percent) and turned the ball over just four times after halftime. 

"To go on the road is a chore and I thought we were ready for the challenge," Howard said. "If you want to excel on the road, then turnovers, the glass and free throws must enhance your chances, not negate them. 

"We defended the three, which was huge. Some long caroms hurt us. If you get two more rebounds and make a couple more free throws, the game is to be had."

IUPUI lost the glass 37-32 overall as Utah Valley outscored the Jags 34-28 in the paint and 9-7 on second chance points. 

Of the nine Jaguars that saw time on Friday, four were making their IUPUI debuts, including Khufu Najee in the starting five. Off the bench, Stanback, Josh James and Cortell Busby all made their collegiate debuts. 

"This group is tough and unselfish," Howard said. "I saw that tenfold tonight against a team that's incredibly veteran and old."

IUPUI will now return home to host Evansville on Tuesday (Nov. 12) night inside the Jungle for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff. That game can be heard on 1260 WNDE and iHeartRadio as Will Flemming (pxp) will call the action. The game will also be the first of seven home televised games on Hometown Sports & News (HTSN) as Greg Rakestraw (pxp) and IUPUI Hall of Famer Bob Lovell (analyst) will call the contest. Fans can receive $5 off the normal ticket prices by bringing a non-perishable item to be donated to the Jam the Jaguars Pantry canned food drive in conjunction with The Summit League "Food Fight". In addition, fans will also receive a voucher for a ticket to a future game for donating an item.  

Prior to Tuesday's game, there will be an on-campus "Jag Prowl" walk from the Campus Center to The Jungle, beginning at 6:00 p.m.. That event will include free food and giveaways, as well as opportunities to sign a large #imajaguar banner, take pictures with Jinx and Jawz and see performances from the IUPUI cheerleaders and pep band. The Prowl will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Campus Center and is open to the entire campus community.