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UVU head coach Mark Madsen directs his team during the WAC game against Stephen F. Austin at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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UVU senior Tim Fuller blocks a shot during the WAC game against Stephen F. Austin at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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UVU junior Justin Harmon shoots a layup during the WAC game against Stephen F. Austin at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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UVU junior Le'Tre Darthard shoots a shot during the WAC game against Stephen F. Austin at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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UVU senior Trey Woodbury hits a jump shot during the WAC game against Stephen F. Austin at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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UVU and Stephen F. Austin players battle for the ball during the WAC game at the UCCU Center in Orem on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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After defeating UT Arlington on Wednesday, the UVU men’s basketball team knew that it was assured a share of the 2022-23 WAC regular-season championship. A loss in Friday night’s regular-season finale to visiting Stephen F. Austin, however, would mean the Wolverines would have to share the crown with Sam Houston.

But UVU showed from the outset that it was planning to send off its four seniors in style.

The Wolverines scored the game’s first five points, led 18-4 and then answered the only Lumberjack run with a run of its own to ensure that the outcome would never be in doubt. The only question would be how many points UVU would end up putting on the board as the Wolverines routed SFA, 113-69.

“Our guys came out and played a tremendous game,” UVU assistant head coach Todd Phillips said. “We had tremendous energy and that was the mindset. We defended really well and made them take tough shots. Guys were playing to get ready for the tournament in Las Vegas. I couldn’t be more proud of the way they played.”

It was a night to remember for a lot of UVU players and Phillips said he was thrilled to see them get to close out their time at the UCCU Center in such a fashion.

“Getting the outright title was really important for us,” Phillips said. “This was a statement our guys made tonight. Our guys really responded.”

The four seniors all got to score but senior Trey Woodbury got to put his name in the Wolverine record books.

Woodbury finished with a triple-double (11 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists), the second in UVU history and the first since 2012.

“It’s fun,” Woodbury said. “I was just glad they were knocking down shots and allowing me to do that. All the credit to my teammates.”

Senior Blaze Nield, a former star at Lehi, poured in 16 points in his last home game.

“Blaze played fantastic,” Phillips said. “He shot the ball great but more than that he handled the pressure. It’s legit but he handled it and got the ball moving.”

The other two seniors, Tim Fuller and Tahj Small, had seven and six points respectively but Madsen said he felt like they contributed a tremendous amount on defense.

“Fuller is the anchor of our defense,” Phillips said. “Guys drive and he is there. He probably had 10 deflections tonight. He gets a lot of effort plays, the rebounds and the charges. He does all the little things that make us good. Tahj Small was built for these types of games. He gets up and down the floor, can slice through the middle or shoot the 3-pointer. When our bench is good, we’re really good.”

UVU was led by 26 points from junior Le’Tre Darthard while sophomore Aziz Bandaogo notched 15 points.

UVU now turns its attention to preparing for next week’s WAC tournament. The Wolverines will find out its final seeding Saturday morning.

All of the tournament games will take place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

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