Utah Valley asserted its dominance in the Western Athletic Conference with a resounding 81-60 victory over UT Arlington at the UCCU Center. The Wolverines, led by Tyler Hendricks' 18 points and 7 rebounds, controlled the tempo from the outset, taking a 42-31 lead into halftime. Hendricks was one of three Utah Valley players to score in double figures, as Isaac Hawkins added 14 points and Trevan Leonhardt chipped in 12 points to go along with 6 assists.
Tyler Hendricks' 18 Points Mark His 15th Double-Figure Scoring Game of the Season
UT Arlington's Tyran Mason did his best to keep the Mavericks in the game, scoring a game-high 20 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Wolverines. Utah Valley's defense was stingy, holding the Mavericks to just 29 points in the second half, as they cruised to a 21-point victory. The margin of victory was even more impressive considering CHD Scout had predicted a 15.1-point win for the Wolverines, making the actual outcome a reflection of Utah Valley's strong performance.
The first half set the tone for the game, with Utah Valley using a 12-2 run to build a double-digit lead. The Mavericks struggled to find their rhythm on offense, shooting just 38% from the field in the first half. Meanwhile, the Wolverines were efficient on both ends, shooting 48% from the field and holding UT Arlington to just 31 points.
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In the second half, Utah Valley continued to pull away, using a 10-2 run to build a 20-point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining. The Mavericks were unable to mount a significant comeback, as the Wolverines' defense remained strong, forcing 12 turnovers and limiting UT Arlington to just 36% shooting from the field.
The win was a significant one for Utah Valley, as it marked a Quadrant 3 victory for the Wolverines. With a current net ranking of 89, Utah Valley is solidifying its position on the NCAA Tournament bubble. On the other hand, the loss was a Quadrant 2 defeat for UT Arlington, which could impact the Mavericks' tournament chances. With a current net ranking of 139, UT Arlington must regroup and refocus in order to make a push for the postseason.
The outcome of this game will undoubtedly have implications for both teams' tournament resumes. Utah Valley's convincing win will help to bolster its case for an at-large bid, while UT Arlington must bounce back from this loss to stay in the mix. As the season enters its final stretch, both teams want to make a strong push towards the postseason.