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Utah Valley's Jackson Holcombe (2) goes up for a shot against Tarleton State in a WAC men's basketball game in Stephensville, Texas, on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Courtesy UVU Athletics

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Utah Valley's Trevon Leonhardt (10) dribbles against Tarleton State in a WAC men's college basketball game in Stephensville, Texas, on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.

Courtesy UVU Athletics

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STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Jackson Holcombe scored 22 points and Utah Valley withstood a physical, high-pressure battle to earn a 91-85 road win over Tarleton State on Thursday night at EECU Arena.

The Wolverines extended their winning streak to seven games, improved to 12-3 overall and 2-0 in Western Athletic Conference play, and became the first visiting team to win at Tarleton State’s new EECU Arena, where the Texans entered the night 7-0 at home.

“It was a heck of a game, two really good teams,” Utah Valley head coach Todd Phillips said. “I’m still sweating. It’s always a war here, and our guys gutted it out. That’s a big-time win for our program.”

Utah Valley has now won 10 of its last 11 games and continued its recent success in Stephenville, where it also defeated Tarleton State in last season’s regular-season finale at Wisdom Gym to clinch the outright WAC regular season championship. It marked the last game ever played in Wisdom Gym.

After Tarleton State jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, Holcombe sparked a nine-point UVU run with a layup that gave the Wolverines an 11-7 edge. The Texans answered back, briefly reclaiming the lead, before Utah Valley used an 11-4 spurt, highlighted by a Tyler Hendricks three and dunks from Holcombe and Isaac Hawkins–to build a 24-18 advantage midway through the first half.

Utah Valley led 37-33 late in the half and carried a three-point advantage into the break, 43-40, after Tarleton State trimmed the margin in the final two minutes.

The Texans opened the second half with an 11-4 run to take a 55-51 lead, but Utah Valley responded with poise. Hayden Welling knocked down a free throw and then buried a three to ignite an 11-0 run that swung momentum back to the Wolverines and put UVU ahead 67-59 with 8:48 remaining.

“That’s a tough environment and they really pressure you,” Phillips said. “We’ve got to be better with the ball, but I was proud of how we kept competing and found ways to get good shots.”

Tarleton State tied the game at 72-72 with under five minutes to play, but Holcombe answered with a layup and Hendricks followed with a three to give UVU a five-point cushion. After the Texans cut the deficit to one in the final minute, Utah Valley came up with a key defensive stop, and Trevan Leonhardt sealed the win by knocking down two free throws with 29 seconds remaining.

Holcombe finished 6-of-8 from the field and 10-of-11 at the free throw line, adding five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals in 35 minutes. Leonhardt scored 15 points, including 11 at the foul line, while adding six rebounds and five assists. Welling also had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and pulled down seven rebounds.

Hawkins narrowly missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds, and Hendricks added 11 points as five Wolverines scored in double figures.

Utah Valley shot 54.7 percent from the field and held Tarleton State to 41.9 percent shooting, while winning the rebounding battle 40-28 and outscoring the Texans 44-34 in the paint.

“We’ve got to clean some things up, especially turnovers that lead to easy points,” Phillips said. “But I loved our toughness. Our guys stayed physical, stayed together, and made winning plays when it mattered.”

Utah Valley continues its Texas road swing on Saturday at Abilene Christian. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MT, with the game broadcast live on ESPN+ and over the airwaves on ESPN The Fan.