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OREM — Utah Valley's historical start to the season continues.
The Wolverines are winners of eight straight following a 96-80 victory over Utah Tech and improved to 5-0 in WAC play. The Wolverines' 5-0 start is the best start to conference play since the 2022-23 season in which Utah Valley went to the NIT semifinals.
The Wolverines' 96 points scored in a game is also the most scored against a Division-I opponent this season, with Utah Valley pouring in 53 points in the second half.
"I thought the guys scored the ball really well tonight and was really proud of them," Phillips said. "Our defense has got to be better, but I loved the energy they came with and brought."
Redshirt sophomore Tanner Toolson continued his strong stretch of WAC play, scoring 14 or more points in four of his last five games. Toolson contributed 18 points on 11 shots against the Trailblazers while providing four rebounds and two steals.
"We knew coming in it was going to be a dog fight. I didn't think it was going to be 96-80, but you have always got to be ready for those things," Toolson said. "You know a rivalry game like this one they are going to come here with energy and want it bad."
Utah Valley, who has had inconsistencies with shots from beyond the arc this season, started 2-of-3 from deep to open up the game. Despite the 3-point shots falling, the Wolverines still trailed Utah Tech 17-16 after a 7-1 run from the Trailblazers.
Utah Valley and Utah Tech traded shots, with Utah Valley holding a slim, 4-point lead after a Toolson 3-pointer. The Trailblazers continued to show resiliency, though, scoring 12 points from the paint.
Utah Tech was able to spark a quick 4-0 run after Welling picked up his second foul. Despite the team's 62% shooting, the Wolverines trailed Utah Tech due to eight turnovers, limiting opportunities to get more shots up.
But free throws were the name of the game for Utah Valley, hitting 12-of-16 in the first half that allowed them to keep it close, trailing 42-40 after the first 20 minutes of play.
Utah Valley opened the second half on a 10-2 run, prompting a timeout by Utah Tech. Despite a sudden 52-44 lead, a quick 6-0 run from the Trailblazers halted Utah Valley's second-half spurt.
After playing just four minutes in the first half, Jackson Holcombe — who hit the game-winner over UT Arlington on Thursday — checked in and Utah Valley immediately started to pull away.
In three minutes, Holcombe had 4 points, two assists, and two offensive rebounds to give Utah Valley a 65-56 lead with 12 minutes to play, yet again becoming the difference maker for the Wolverines.
Holcombe blocked a transition bucket, then scored on the ensuing offensive possession for a complete turn of events in the game.
"Have you guys heard of the energizer bunny?" Toolson said laughing. "Jackson has been great coming off the bench and giving us a spark. His contribution to the glass and the energy he brings is huge."
Trevan Leonhardt was also a deciding factor in the second half, pouring in all 14 points of his points, with nine of them coming from beyond the arc.
The Wolverines eventually swelled its lead to double-digits, and held off the Trailblazers despite a close first half.
Utah Valley will travel to Cal Baptist to face the Lancers for the second time this season and start a three-game road trip. Utah Tech will take on GCU in St. George.
