UVU men’s basketball toughs out 10th-straight win at Seattle
-
- UVU sophomore Carter Welling shoots a shot during the WAC game against Seattle at the Redhawk Center in Seattle on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
-
- UVU sophomore Carter Welling dunks the ball during the WAC game against Seattle at the Redhawk Center in Seattle on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
-
- UVU sophomore Trevan Leonhardt dribbles the ball during the WAC game against Seattle at the Redhawk Center in Seattle on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
Carter Welling scored a career-high 24 points, and Dominick Nelson added 16 as Utah Valley earned a hard-fought 70-66 road win over Seattle U at the Redhawk Center in Seattle on Saturday night. The victory marked the Wolverines’ 10th consecutive win, keeping them perfect in WAC play at 7-0.
Utah Valley improves to 15-6 overall and wraps up January with an unblemished 7-0 record. The Wolverines’ 10-game win streak dates back to a 70-56 victory at Idaho State on Dec. 18.
In the final seconds of Saturday’s contest, with UVU clinging to a 68-66 lead, Seattle U’s Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe drove to the basket. Welling stepped up with a clutch block to deny Moncrieffe’s attempt. Nelson grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and calmly sank both free throws to seal the 70-66 victory.
“That was a heck of a game,” said UVU head coach Todd Phillips. “Our guys showed tremendous effort. Playing Thursday and then coming back Saturday to get the road sweep–it definitely shows we have road warriors on this team. Our preseason schedule, which was so brutal, is really paying off. The guys didn’t flinch.”
Welling’s career-best 24 points came on 10-of-18 shooting, including two three-pointers. He also tallied seven rebounds, three assists, and a block.
“Carter was a one-man show the first four minutes of the second half,” Phillips added. “He’s done that a few times this year, and we expect a lot from him. He delivered tonight–24 points and seven rebounds. I’m just so proud of him.”
Nelson contributed 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including a three-pointer, and connected on 7-of-10 free throws. He added a team-high eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
“Huge, huge free throws by Dom,” Phillips said. “The guys were just really good tonight. I’m really proud of them and the way they played.”
Trevan Leonhardt dished out six assists to go with six points, while Osiris Grady and Ethan Potter each chipped in six points.
Neither team led by more than two points in a back-and-forth start until UVU used a 13-5 run to take a 24-19 lead with 5:34 left in the half. Seattle U responded by outscoring UVU 10-5 in the final minutes to send the game into halftime tied at 29-29.
The first half featured six lead changes and four ties, with Utah Valley holding the largest lead at five points (26-21) late in the half.
The Wolverines opened the second half on a 14-6 run, fueled by 13 points from Welling, including two three-pointers, to take a 43-35 lead with 15:50 remaining. UVU extended its lead to 51-37 with 12:29 to play after an 8-2 run capped by an Osiris Grady basket.
Seattle U fought back with a 10-2 run, cutting the lead to six at 53-47 with 9:43 left. UVU maintained control but saw its lead dwindle to two points (68-66) with just 35 seconds left.
With the game on the line, Welling’s defensive heroics and Nelson’s clutch free throws secured the win, keeping the Wolverines’ perfect streak alive.
“This team has learned how to win on the road,” Phillips noted. “It’s really satisfying, but my heart rate goes through the roof every time. Just really proud of our guys.”
Utah Valley shot 48.3% (28-of-58) from the field, including 35.7% (5-of-14) from beyond the arc. The Wolverines outrebounded Seattle U 39-29 and outscored the Redhawks 46-36 in the paint. Seattle U shot 43.6% (24-of-55) overall and 23.5% (4-of-17) from three.
The Wolverines will now head to Phoenix for a WAC showdown against Grand Canyon (15-5, 5-1) on Saturday, Feb. 1. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MT, with the game broadcast live on ESPN+ and the Wolverine Sports Network on ESPN The Fan.
