The victory marks UVU’s 14th in its last 15 games, improving the Wolverines to 19-7 overall and 11-1 in WAC play, where they remain alone atop the standings. UVU also completed the season sweep over Utah Tech, having defeated the Trailblazers 96-80 on Jan. 18.

Utah Valley built a commanding 40-20 lead with just over six minutes left in the first half, but Utah Tech rallied to force overtime. Toolson, who scored 14 of his 24 points in the opening half, delivered in the clutch, sinking a go-ahead shot in the lane with 26 seconds to play, securing UVU’s fourth straight win.

“My heart rate is through my head,” said UVU head coach Todd Phillips. “These rivalry games are battles. We had them down big early, but we’ve got to do the little things to put teams away. Credit to Utah Tech–they made a run and kept fighting.”

Toolson finished 8-of-16 from the field, matching a career high with five three-pointers while going a perfect 3-of-3 from the free-throw line.

Carter Welling contributed 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, while adding eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

Dominick Nelson added 11 points, eight boards, three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Jackson Holcombe provided a spark off the bench with nine points, six rebounds, and three blocks.

Despite the win, free-throw shooting remained an issue for UVU, as the Wolverines hit just 7-of-16 (43.8%) from the line.

“I don’t have an answer,” Phillips said. “We spend a bunch of time working on it, but we’ll just keep getting our guys ready. Carter hit three 3s; maybe we should have him step back and shoot free throws from there.”

UVU shot 49.2% (31-of-63) from the field and 52.6% (10-of-19) from three, while Utah Tech hit 40.6% (26-of-64) overall and 50% (12-of-24) from beyond the arc. The Trailblazers outrebounded the Wolverines 40-36, but UVU dominated the paint, outscoring Utah Tech 38-18 inside.

The win guarantees UVU no worse than the No. 2 seed in the WAC Tournament.

“To be honest, I kind of know where we’re at,” Phillips said. “But I’m just trying to get our guys better. It’s a tough stretch–we’ve got four games left, and we’ve got to continue improving every night.”

Utah Valley returns home to face Seattle U on Saturday afternoon at the UCCU Center. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MT, with the game airing live on ESPN+ and the Wolverine Sports Network (960 AM/103.9 FM in Utah County, 98.3 FM/101.5 HD2 in Salt Lake County).

UVU baseball lose tough game at San Jose State

Utah Valley baseball dropped the opening game of their four-game series, 8-7 to San José State at Excite Ballpark in San José , Calif., on Thursday evening.

UVU (2-3) was led by Luke Iverson, Brody Block, and Dominic Longo II, who all recorded three hits in the loss. SJSU (3-1) surrendered a four-run inning in the top of the seventh before Jeriah Lewis hit a solo home run, becoming the game-winner.

“Two good baseball teams that traded blows with each other,” said UVU head coach Nate Rasmussen. “I’m proud of how we competed from start to finish tonight.”

Utah Valley rallied from a 7-3 deficit to tie the game and had runners on base after Block doubled to start the eighth inning, but weren’t able to get the runner across to take the lead.

After giving up a run to the home team in the bottom of the eighth, the Wolverines put two men on base with a single from Jayden Smith, and Iverson reached when he was hit. But the Spartan pitching staff came up with the outs needed to secure the win in the series opener.

The two teams played again on Friday evening before concluding the series with games on Saturday and Sunday.

Kaylee Wasco hired by UVU as athletics mental health specialist

Utah Valley director of athletics Dr. Jared Sumsion has announced the hiring of Kaylee Wasco as a Mental Health Specialist for student-athletes within the athletics department.

Wasco is a fully licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and joined the Mental Health and Performance (MHAP) team with UVU athletics in January 2025. Wasco meets with teams, coaches and individual athletes to provide support around mental health and sport performance needs within athletics. She works closely alongside Clint Norseth, the director of the MHAP team.

Previously, Wasco worked with teens and families doing individual therapy, family therapy, resource management, and crisis work. Kaylee made the professional transition to working in athletics because she wanted to support athletes in a way she wished she had access to while playing Division I collegiate basketball.

During her time playing ball at Binghamton University in New York, Kaylee received her bachelor’s degree in human development and a master’s degree in public administration. She then went on to get her master’s in social work at the University of Michigan where she also worked as an academic mentor for student athletes.

Wasco is originally from Midland, Michigan, though she has resided with her spouse in Utah since 2023.

Wolverines baseball season and single game tickets are now on sale

The Utah Valley University athletic department is excited to announce that season and single-game tickets for the upcoming baseball season are now available for purchase by the general public and UVU employees.

Season Tickets: Season tickets start at just $50 for GA Grass Berm and $80 for Reserved. Utah Valley Baseball will begin home play with their first home series against UC Davis on Friday, February 28, at 4:05 p.m. at the UCCU Ballpark. Other opponents include Embry-Riddle (Mar 14-Mar17), Abilene Christian (Mar 28-Mar 30), Tarleton State (Apr 17-19), California Baptist (Apr 25-Apr 27), and Sacramento State (May 9-May11). In-state rivalries will be highlighted with games against BYU (Apr 21) and (RV) Utah (Apr 22).

Season Ticket Packages can be purchased online at GoUVU.com/BSBst.