Utah Valley takes down Seattle U to earn 1st conference championship game berth

LAS VEGAS — For the first time in program history, Utah Valley is heading to a conference championship game.

With a 68-55 victory over Seattle U, the No. 1-seeded Wolverines will compete in the WAC championship game Saturday night against the winner of Grand Canyon and Cal Baptist.

It was a show out game for sophomore Tanner Toolson, who was named to the WAC all-conference second team. Toolson poured in 18 points, 14 of which came in the first half, and grabbed five rebounds and three steals in the win. Toolson played a career-high 37 minutes in addition to his solid stat line.

"I just wanted to do everything I could to help our team win," Toolson said. "I was flying around, I was playing well, and I am grateful for my body holding up. I am ready for a challenge tomorrow."

The Wolverines, who picked up three conference postseason awards, rewrote the script by finishing WAC play with a 15-1 record — with the lone loss coming to defending champion Grand Canyon.

Despite starting Friday night's game on a 5-0 run, Utah Valley committed six straight turnovers to allow Seattle U to take an early lead.

The Wolverines shot the ball well, though, hitting six of their first 12 field goal attempts. But the influx of turnovers continued to prevent Utah Valley from pulling away from the Redhawls. Four of the 10 early turnovers came from WAC player of the year Dominic Nelson, who didn't attempt a shot 13 minutes into the game.

Utah Valley used a 14-4 run to close out the first half, backed by the efforts of Toolson, who had 7 of his 14 first-half points during the stretch, to hold a 34-24 lead at the break.

"Our bench has been carrying us all year and stepping up. It's not just points either, it is hustle plays and rebounds," Utah Valley head coach Todd Phillips said. "It really changed the game when the bench guys came in."

Tanner is HIM 🤯#GoUVU | #ValleyForgedpic.twitter.com/4TinIl97QF

— UVU Men's Basketball (@UVUmbb) March 15, 2025

Over the last eight minutes of the game, Utah Valley had one turnover, which proved to be a key part in their run and just four in the entire second half alone.

Utah Valley maintained a 10-point lead throughout the second half, making four of its first eight baskets while keeping the Redhawks off the free-throw line.

Seattle U's Kobe Williamson continued to give the Wolverines fits, though, dropping his 17th point to trim the deficit to 6 points. Williamson picked up his fourth foul with 10 minutes to play, which forced him to the bench.

Utah Valley immediately used Williamson's absence to their advantage and pushed the lead back to 10 and entered the bonus with nine minutes left in the half. Carter Welling then scored 5 straight points to push the lead to 13 as Seattle U used a timeout to stop the momentum.

The Redhawks, though, were unable to contest the lead and gave Utah Valley a path to the conference championship.

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