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OREM — Coming off its best 3-point shooting game of the season, Utah Valley turned around to face Tarleton State for the first time in conference play.
Despite a close first half, Utah Valley's efficient second half propelled the Wolverines to its 10th home win this season to remain in first place in the WAC standings.
Sophomore Tanner Toolson was electric for the Wolverines, pouring in 21 first-half points, and sank a season-high five 3-pointers en route to a 81-56 victory over the Texans to improve to 9-1 in the conference slate and 17-7 on the season.
"It took us a while to get used to their pressure and play style, but when we did we were able to kick in," Toolson said. "We were able to figure them out and come out with a win tonight."
Kylin Green was a reliable backup for Utah Valley at the point guard spot, dishing out seven assists, three rebounds and two steals while sinking two 3-pointers.
Utah Valley — who is projected to receive the automatic qualifier bid as a 14 seed for the WAC, according to ESPN lead bracketologist Joe Lunardi — continues to showcase strong second half play and won its third conference game by 16-or-more points.
"I thought our guys shared the ball really well. When we share the ball we are really good," head coach Todd Phillips said. "We play a lot of guys and we kept coming at them and I think they got a little tired."
The Texans had the Wolverines flustered early, forcing as many turnovers in three minutes (4) as Utah Valley had the whole game on Thursday versus UT Arlington. Dominick Nelson was charged with a technical foul early after making a mid-ranged shot and talking to the Tarleton State bench.
Despite his lowest scoring game in the conference slate, Nelson still grabbed eight rebounds and provided three assists in addition to his 11 points.
Utah Valley and Tarleton State had combined for eight fouls in six minutes of play. Despite the whistle, the Wolverines were able to resopnd offensively by hitting 3-of-3 shots from beyond the arc, two by Tanner Toolson.
Bubu Benjamin, who is fourth in the WAC in scoring behind Nelson, gave Utah Valley fits early by scoring 10 points in nine minutes — five of them from the stripe.
Utah Valley allowed the Texans to enter the bonus with 12 minutes left in the half, and continued to struggle offensively.
Tarleton State's first substitution of the game came at the 5:34 mark for Benjamin who had three fouls with the Wolverines trailing 29-26.
"I did not expect that. They started different guys and I expected that because they change their lineups as guys play," Phillips said.
The Wolverines took the lead after Tanner Toolson's six straight points, including his third 3-pointer of the game which gave him his 16th point of the half.
With all the back-and-forth the first half provided, the Wolverines relied on Toolson's 21 first-half points, including the dunk of the year for Utah Valley, to propel them to a critical 39-36 lead.
Here is the Oop from Dom Nelson to Tanner Toolson that made the Toolson family go crazy...#WACTopPlaypic.twitter.com/IgrMaR0yKg
— WACHoopsNation (@WACHoopsNation) February 8, 2025
Utah Valley swelled its lead to 48-41 thanks in part to two Texans getting in foul trouble, forcing Billy Gillespie to go to his bench early in the half. Chris Mpaka, who had six offensive rebounds in the first half, picked up his fourth foul early which allowed Utah Valley to control the paint.
The Wolverines defense improved in the second half, holding the Texans to just four made field goals in 13 minutes of play, while giving up just one offensive rebound.
Utah Valley's 10 man rotation kept them out of foul trouble while Tarleton State's election to prioritize its starters resulted in foul trouble for the majority of the game. The Wolverines were able to overcome a close first half and run away in the final 20 minutes.
Utah Valley will head on the road to face two in-state opponents, Southern Utah on Saturday Feb. 15, and will go down to Washington County the following week to take on Utah Tech.
