For the Wolverines, it was UCF transfer Tyler Hendricks scoring a career-high 22 points while JUCO transfer Edwin Suarez also tallied a career-high in points, scoring 26 points for the Wildcats.

“Hendricks is just smooth,” said UVU Coach Todd Phillips. “He scored kind of a quiet 22…We’re just so impressed with how even keeled he is when he plays. He does a lot of right things…We rely on him a lot and we put a lot of pressure on him.”

Watching Hendricks from the sidelines, much like they always do, was Hendricks’ family, which includes Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks in helping Tyler feel at home despite being a long way from his home state of Florida.

“It’s cool seeing all of them over there on the sideline,” Tyler said. “My whole family gives me that extra motivation to keep going and to keep playing.”

Courtesy UVU Photo

Key to Tyler Henricks’ game has been his attitude since arriving to join the Wolverines during the offseason, which isn’t always an easy prospect. The 6-foot-6 combo guard had to fit into Phillips’ system while playing new roles that he wasn’t perhaps used to prior to his arrival.

During Wednesday’s win, Tyler Hendricks was at his best letting the game to him while proving efficient from behind the arc where he went 4-9 and from the charity stripe where he converted on all six of his attempts. He also handed out three assists and had three blocks in providing a solid all-around effort during his 35 minutes of play.

“It’s a different role from where I’m coming from, so it’s definitely an adjustment,” Tyler Hendricks said. “I need to be a leader, and I need to be aggressive and shoot the ball, obviously. I think I’m doing well with what (Phillips) is telling me to do. One thing that I like about myself is that I’m able to do whatever the coaches tell me to do. I’m going to do it even if it’s something that I’m not used to or if it’s hard.”

Phillips largely agrees with Tyler Hendricks’ assessment and is encouraged by recent returns.

“We put a lot of pressure on him and it’s kind of been the first time that he’s been the big dog, sort of speak,” Phillips said. “I really like where he’s going and he’s answered the call.”

Courtesy UVU Photo

As for Suarez, he used his 6-foot-6 frame effectively to score both inside and out during the course of the game, and in so doing aided the Wildcats in their effort to keep things relatively close throughout.

“Some of our better players had tough nights, but Suarez was the guy who played like we needed him to tonight, and probably then some,” said Weber State Coach Eric Duft. “He kept us in it with his energy and focus. He’s been sick, but now he’s feeling better and he was very focused coming in, and it showed.”

Suarez, who is originally from Puerto Rico also pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.

As for the game itself, Utah Valley was aided by some big contributions from off the bench, particularly from backup center Isaac Hawkins, who scored 15 points while connecting on all seven of his shot attempts and from Hayden Welling, who chipped in 10 points and four assists.

“He was huge, and a lot of his shots came off of lob-dunks and easy baskets for us. That’s one thing he can do is that he can really climb the ladder,” Phillips said of Hawkins specifically. “We try to have an emphasis in getting him more touches around the basket and he keeps getting better and better. So he was huge coming off the bench for us tonight.”

Courtesy UVU Photo

As for Weber State’s team effort, Duft was frustrated by certain aspects, but overall encouraged with what he saw in taking the loss.

“We cut down on turnovers tonight, which was something we emphasized, so I liked that a lot,” Duft said. “Utah Valley is a really good team, so we knew it would be a battle, but I liked how we competed and we’re a good basketball team. We’re always going to compete and I think that showed tonight against a very good Utah Valley team.”

With the win Utah Valley improves to 9-3 on the season while Weber State falls to 5-6 with the loss.