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UVU seniors (from left) Jaden McClanahan, Trevin Dorius and Cache Fields pose for a photo after being honored before the WAC game against UT Arlington at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

Courtesy UVU Marketing

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UVU freshman Tanner Toolson dunks the ball during the WAC game against UT Arlington at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

Courtesy UVU Marketing

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UVU senior Jaden McClanahan goes up for a layup during the WAC game against UT Arlington at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

Courtesy UVU Marketing

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UVU freshman Trevan Leonhardt looks to make a pass during the WAC game against UT Arlington at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

Courtesy UVU Marketing

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One of the challenges college basketball players have is trying to find the balance between playing aggressively with a lot of competitive fire and not getting carried away.

Utah Valley head coach Todd Phillips said Saturday it can be hard to figure out just where that line is.

“We’ve got to live with some of that to get them to play with an edge, with a chip on their shoulder,” Phillips said. “We had some guys flying around. We got some loose balls and we were diving on the ground, which you have to have. But sometimes that leads your emotions to go over the top. You’ve got to control that but kind of play on that line a little bit, so to speak.”

The Wolverines appeared to let things go a little too far and it proved costly in Saturday’s WAC home finale against UT Arlington.

During a key stretch in the game, UVU got too caught up worrying about calls and the Mavericks took advantage, pulling away to secure the 78-65 win.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Phillips said. “UT Arlington is pretty close to being the most talented team in our league. They had some guys out early in the year and lost some games, but they are the best 3-point shooting team in the league. They can drive and get to the basket. I thought at times we did a pretty good job of guarding them and they still finished with 10 3-pointers. The big thing in the second half was we just kept fouling. Then every time we’d make a run, they’d make a shot.”

One of the key moments in the game highlighted the damage getting too emotional can do.

The Wolverines trailed by nine at halftime but roared back to start the second half and had gone in front a couple of times.

The home team was down 52-50 with just under 10 minutes to play when it forced a UT Arlington turnover. UVU freshman Tanner Toolson got the ball out in front and slammed it home to tie things up just before Maverick guard DaJuan Gordon could get there for the block.

Pumped up from the dunk, Toolson said a few words in the direction of Gordon, earning a technical foul.

UT Arlington proceeded to make both free throws, then draw another foul and hit two more from the charity stripe to make it a four-point possession and dampen the Wolverine momentum.

“The technical hurt us,” Phillips said. “They got four points there and that left a mark.”

UVU was never able to regain the lead as the visitors slowly pulled away from that point on.

Wolverine junior guard Drake Allen led the way with 18 points, while senior Trevin Dorius added 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Toolson had 10 points.

The Mavericks were paced by 20 points from guard Phillip Russell, while Gordon added 17.

The outcome wasn’t the way UVU wanted their final regular-season home game of the 2023-24 season to go, particularly as the Wolverines were honoring three seniors who have contributed a lot to the program.

Senior guard Jaden McClanahan has been a staple in Orem for the last few years.

“Jaden’s been here since we got here,” Phillips said. “He’s a tremendous leader and a tremendous communicator, but the biggest thing is he’s a tremendous human being. He’s a great human being in everything he does. I’m really proud to have him on our team. We’re thankful he came back. He’s been a big linchpin for us this year.”

Senior Cache Fields didn’t see as much time on the court as McClanahan but Phillips said his contribution was invaluable.

“He’s very outgoing, high-fiving everybody,” the UVU head coach said. “He’s another great guy in the locker room. Cache has gotten better and better. He shoots really well from three. I’m really happy for Cache and all the hard work he’s put in.”

Senior center Trevin Dorius came in for one season but has been a key player inside that has helped the Wolverines enjoy the success they’ve had.

“We put a lot on his shoulders,” Phillips said. “We’re asking him to score a bunch now and guard and defend. It’s great to have him in our program and in my first year to help me to be a leader.”

UVU (14-15, 9-9 in WAC play) now heads on the road for its final two games of the year, starting with a showdown at Tarleton State on March 7. That game is set to tip off at 6 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+.

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