Utah Valley asserted its dominance over UT Arlington at the UCCU Center, cruising to an 86-74 victory. The Wolverines' well-rounded performance was led by Jackson Holcombe, who tallied 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. This win marked a significant Q3 victory for Utah Valley, bolstering their resume as they continue to make a case for a postseason berth.
The first half was all Utah Valley, as they stormed out to a 46-28 lead at the break. The Wolverines' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Holcombe and Trevan Leonhardt setting the tone. Leonhardt finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Isaac Davis chipped in with 14 points of his own. UT Arlington, on the other hand, struggled to find its rhythm, with Cash Chavis being the lone bright spot. Chavis, who finished with a game-high 20 points, tried to will his team back into contention, but it was too little, too late.
In the second half, UT Arlington made a concerted effort to get back into the game, outscoring Utah Valley 46-40. However, the deficit proved too great to overcome, and the Wolverines coasted to a 12-point victory. Marcell McCreary and Tyran Mason provided some spark for the Mavericks, scoring 15 and 8 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to offset the balanced attack of Utah Valley.
This Q3 win is a significant boost to Utah Valley's tournament chances, as they improve to 15-6 on the season. With a net ranking of 97, the Wolverines are firmly in the mix for a postseason spot. On the other hand, UT Arlington's loss drops them to 13-6, and while they still boast a respectable net ranking of 127, this Q2 loss may hinder their chances of securing a favorable seed.
The victory is a reflection of Utah Valley's depth and versatility, as they had multiple players contribute to the winning effort. Holcombe's all-around performance was particularly impressive, as he filled the stat sheet and made plays on both ends of the floor. For UT Arlington, Chavis's 20-point outing was a bright spot, but the team's inability to contain Utah Valley's balanced attack ultimately was their downfall.
As the season wears on, Utah Valley want to build on this momentum, using this Q3 win as a springboard to bigger and better things. With their resume continuing to grow, the Wolverines are making a strong case for a tournament bid. Conversely, UT Arlington must regroup and refocus, as they aim to bounce back from this setback and keep their own postseason hopes alive.