Utah Valley won its fifth straight game and wrapped up non-conference play with a 10-3 overall record. The Wolverines have won eight of their last nine games and will open Western Athletic Conference play at home on Monday, Dec. 29 against California Baptist.

“It was great,” head coach Todd Phillips said. “It’s right before Christmas, the guys are a little beat up and bruised, and we got to play everybody tonight. Nobody played big minutes, nobody got hurt, and that’s exactly what you want going into the break.”

After a back-and-forth start that saw Utah Valley take a 9-7 lead three minutes in, the Wolverines seized control behind a Holcombe jumper and an Isaac Davis dunk that ignited a 19-4 run over the next seven minutes. The surge gave UVU a 28-11 advantage with 9:25 remaining in the first half.

Phillips acknowledged the early sluggishness but said it was expected given the timing of the game.

“This time of year, guys start thinking about Christmas and getting home to their families,” Phillips said. “It’s always a little scary, so we had to get dialed in.”

Utah Valley continued to build separation, extending the lead to 35-17 with six minutes to play before closing the half on a 14-3 run to take a commanding 52-23 lead into the break.

The Wolverines maintained their momentum in the second half, holding a 60-31 lead early before a Holcombe basket and ensuing and-one sparked a dominant 36-4 run over a 10-minute stretch. Utah Valley pushed the margin to 96-35 with 6:51 remaining and cruised the rest of the way to secure the 61-point victory.

Holcombe finished 7-of-11 from the field and 2-of-2 at the free throw line, pulling down a career-high 15 rebounds to go along with three assists, a block, and a steal.

“That was great by Jackson,” Phillips said. “I also really liked our bench guys. They came in and did some really good things.”

Tyler Hendricks added 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including two three-pointers, while also contributing six rebounds and four assists. Isaac Davis chipped in 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting night, including a three-pointer. Hayden Welling and Isaac Hawkins also reached double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively, and Joul Karram added nine points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Utah Valley will enjoy the Christmas break before opening Western Athletic Conference play at home against California Baptist on Monday, Dec. 29. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at the UCCU Center.

Women’s hoops drops close game to Idaho State

Saige Gibb tied a season high with 14 points and added six rebounds as Utah Valley fell to Idaho State, 59-56, on Saturday inside the UCCU Center. The Wolverines (7-4) had three players score in double figures, with Halle Nelson and Cambree Blackham finishing with 11 points apiece.

Idaho State (7-4) was led by Tasia Jordan, who scored a game-high 26 points.

Utah Valley led 29-28 at halftime and pushed its lead to eight in the third quarter as Nelson converted a free throw and knocked down her third 3-pointer of the game. Gibb added back-to-back baskets to keep the Wolverines in front, but Idaho State closed the quarter strong and carried the momentum into the fourth. The Wolverines trailed 49-44 with 6:22 remaining and snapped a four-minute scoring drought when Blackham scored on a layup. Utah Valley continued to chip away and tied the game on a pair of free throws from Amanda Barcello.

Idaho State answered and held the Wolverines without a field goal until under a minute remaining, when Gibb hit a jumper from the elbow. UVU cut the deficit to two in the final 30 seconds after Barcello knocked down a 3-pointer. Barcello attempted the potential tying shot at the buzzer, but the play was ruled late as time expired.

Utah Valley opens WAC play Monday, Dec. 29, at California Baptist. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MT (6 p.m. PT) in Riverside.