Utah Valley decreases Seattle U to earn the first berth for the first conference championship

Las Vegas – For the first time in the program history, Utah Valley drives to a conference championship game.

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

It was a show-out game for the second Tanner Toolson, which was called the second team of the WAC All-Conference. Toolson got 18 points, 14 of which came in the first half, and got five rebounds and three steals in victory. In addition to his extended statistics, Toolson played a career high of 37 minutes.

“I just wanted to do everything to win our team,” said Toolson. “I flew around, I played well and I am grateful for keeping my body. I am ready for a challenge tomorrow.”

The Wolverines, who had received three post-season prices for conference, rewritten the script by the only loss against defending champion Grand Canyon with a 15: 1 record.

Although the game started with a 5-0 run on Friday evening, Utah Valley undertook six direct sales to bring Seattle U early.

However, the Wolverines shot the ball well and met six of their first 12 Field goal attempts. But the influx of sales continued to prevent Utah Valley from moving away from the Redhawls. Four of the ten early sales came from Dominic Nelson from WAC player of the year, who did not try 13 minutes after the game.

Utah Valley used a 14: 4 run to end the first half, which was supported by the efforts of Toolson, who had 7 of his 14 points in the first half during the route to lead a lead of 34: 24 during the break.

“Our bank carried us and reinforced us all year round. It is also not only points, they are Hustle games and rebounds,” said Todd Phillips, head coach of Utah Valley. “It really changed the game when the Bank boys came in.”

Tanner is 🤯 🤯#Gouvu | #Valleyforedpic.twitter.com/4tinil97qf

– UVU -Männerbasketball (@uvumbb) March 15, 2025

In the last eight minutes of the game, Utah Valley had sales, which proved to be an important part of her run, and only four throughout the second half.

Utah Valley had a lead of 10 points in the second half and made four of his first eight baskets and held the Redhawks from the Freiwurfinie.

The Kobe Williamson von Seattle u continued to give the Wolverine adjustments and set its 17th point to cut the deficit to 6 points. Williamson recorded his fourth foul with 10 minutes to play, which forced him to the bank.

Utah Valley immediately used Williamson’s absence to her advantage and pushed the lead back to 10 and entered the bonus in half with nine minutes. Carter Welling then scored 5 direct points to take the lead to 13 when Seattle U used a time crossing to stop the swing.

The Redhawks could not contest the lead and gave Utah Valley a way to the conference championship.