LAS VEGAS—Utah Valley will compete for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship Saturday night at Orleans Arena against California Baptist. The game is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. PT/10 p.m. MT and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
Utah Valley (25-7) secured its place in the championship game with a 67-65 victory over No. 4 UT Arlington on Friday. Jackson Holcombe scored 14 points and made the game-winning free throws with 19 seconds left, followed by a key defensive play from Isaac Hawkins.
This marks the second consecutive season, and only the second time in program history, that Utah Valley will play for the WAC Tournament title. The Wolverines are seeking their first WAC Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
California Baptist (24-8) advanced to the championship game after defeating Utah Tech 86-72 in the semifinals. Dominique Daniels Jr. Led the Lancers with a performance of 41 points and is a leading scorer for CBU.
Saturday’s game will be the fourth meeting between Utah Valley and California Baptist this season. Utah Valley won two of the three previous matchups, both played in Orem, while California Baptist won one game in overtime in Riverside.
Utah Valley’s team includes All-WAC First Team selections Trevan Leonhardt, who averages 12.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.3 rebounds, and Jackson Holcombe, who leads the Wolverines with 15.6 points per game and 7.2 rebounds. Holcombe has also set a program record with 71 steals this season. Sherman Weatherspoon IV contributed 11 points and three three-pointers in the semifinal win against UT Arlington.
Utah Valley has won seven of its last eight games and 21 of its last 25, and has secured its second straight outright WAC regular-season championship.
The winner of Saturday night’s championship game will receive the Western Athletic Conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Utah Valley reach the championship game?
Utah Valley advanced to the championship game with a 67-65 win over No. 4 UT Arlington in Friday night’s semifinal.
Who led California Baptist to the championship game?
Dominique Daniels Jr. Led California Baptist to the championship game with a 41-point performance against Utah Tech in the semifinals.
How many times have Utah Valley and California Baptist played each other this season?
Saturday’s championship matchup will mark the fourth meeting of the season between Utah Valley and California Baptist.
What factors do you think will be most crucial in determining the outcome of Saturday’s championship game?
