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- Carter Welling's crucial block secured Utah Valley's 64-62 victory over Weber State.
- Welling contributed 22 points and tied his career-high with five blocks, despite being ill.
- Utah Valley improved to 7-6, while Weber State prepares to face the No. 10 Oregon Ducks.
OGDEN — As nonconference basketball matchups wrap up, Weber State and Utah Valley played Saturday in the long-lasting in-state rivalry game ahead of conference play. Utah Valley won last year in Orem, but Weber State won the two years prior.
But it was Carter Welling's block with 45 seconds to go, paired with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting, that gave Utah Valley an edge to come away with a 64-62 win and improve to 7-6 on the season.
Welling played a career-high 33 minutes and tied his career-high in blocks with five.
"He is a tremendous player; he had an unbelievable game," Utah Valley head coach Todd Phillips said, while noting that Welling was sick at halftime. "He was even throwing up at halftime. Just tremendous will by that kid, and I am so impressed with him."
The Wildcats and Wolverines traded blows back-and-forth throughout the opening half, with the teams neck-and-neck early on at 9 apiece. Welling was responsible for all 9 points for Utah Valley during the stretch.
Utah Valley jumped to a 27-20 lead before the Wildcats went on a 15-9 run to cut the deficit to 1 just before the half came to an end. Jackson Holcombe added to the tally by pouring in his 8th point of the night at the buzzer, and Utah Valley held a 38-35 lead at halftime.
The second half started with fireworks as both teams hit multiple shots beyond the arc. Welling hit two 3-pointers while dishing out an assist on another, and Weber State hit two of their own to remain with one score through the first media timeout.
Weber State forced Utah Valley to commit four turnovers — matching the team's total in the first half — over an eight-minute stretch to keep the score close.
Holding a 50-49 lead, Utah Valley went on a 7-1 run thanks in part to a Kylin Green 3-pointer and capped off by a Corey Wells slam dunk. The Wildcats failed to stay down long, however, and went on a 6-0 run of their own with just under five minutes left to trail by 4.
But Utah Valley was determined and built the lead back up to 8, with hopes of pulling away. Or so they thought.
The Wolverines turned the ball over on back-to-back possessions, allowing Weber State to quickly get back in the game to cut it to 64-62 with 1:18 to go.
But as Weber State looked to tie the game, Welling blocked Blaise Threatt's shot attempt with 45 seconds left, eventually sealing a 64-62 win over the Wildcats.
The Wildcats had three players in double-figures, accounting for 53 of their 62 points. Threatt finished with 16 points, while Nigel Burris recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards.
Weber State will travel to Eugene, Oregon, to take on the No. 10 Ducks to close out the nonconference season, while the Wolverines host Bethesda (CA).
