The 81-point margin of victory is the largest in program history. The 116 points rank second all-time behind the school record of 123 set in a four-overtime game at Chicago State in 2009.

Utah Valley opened the game on a 15-0 run and never looked back, holding the Eagles without a field goal for nearly four minutes. Trevan Leonhardt knocked down a pair of early threes, while Holcombe threw down a dunk and Tyler Hendricks connected on back-to-back triples to push the lead to 26-5.

The Wolverines continued to roll behind an 11-0 spurt capped by a Noah Taitz three-pointer that extended the advantage to 37-7 midway through the first half. UVU hit 64 points by halftime, taking a 64-16 lead into the break.

Utah Valley opened the second half on an 18-0 run and reached the century mark on a Leonhardt three and a Taitz dunk with 9:55 remaining. The Wolverines outscored West Coast Baptist 52-19 in the second half to secure the 116-35 win.

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Holcombe led the way with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and a 3-of-3 mark from the free-throw line to go with 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Hendricks scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-5 from long range, while adding seven rebounds and three blocks.

“It was a game where we got to play everybody,” said Utah Valley head coach Todd Phillips. “Our size and athleticism overpowered them, but for me it was about playing the right way. I was proud of how we shared the ball–32 assists on eight turnovers is really good–and how we guarded. It was a great first game in front of our crowd and a good way to prepare for a tough one on Saturday.”

Leonhardt added 14 points and nine assists, while freshman forward Isaac Hawkins recorded a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double. Isaac Davis also reached double figures with 12 points. Sherman Weatherspoon IV hit three triples for nine points, while Braden Housley added eight.

“It felt great to finally get out there with my teammates for the first time,” said Hendricks. “Coach always says to play as one, and that’s what we did tonight. I just tried to be aggressive and do whatever helps the team win.”

Utah Valley finished the night shooting 56 percent (47-of-84) from the field and 39 percent (13-of-33) from three-point range. The Wolverines held West Coast Baptist to just 17.7 percent (11-of-62) shooting and a 2-of-22 mark from deep.

The Wolverines will now travel to Boise, Idaho, to face Boise State on Saturday afternoon at ExtraMile Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on the Mountain West Network.

“Saturday’s going to be a fight,” Phillips said. “We’ll get an angry Boise State team, and we’ve got to be ready to compete.”

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Players Mentioned

#2 Jackson Holcombe