LAS VEGAS—Conner Toolson scored a season-high 23 points with seven rebounds to lead Utah Valley to a 72-65 win over Hartford at the MGM Main Event at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. The Wolverines now move on to the championship game of the tournament on Wednesday at 3 p.m. (MST).
 
"We've played a really tough schedule to open the season and to come here and battle our way to a win feels good.," said Utah Valley head coach Mark Pope. "I'm proud of the way our guys played today. It came down to guts and playing tough today. The guys did a great job of battling it out and coming away with the win today."
 
The Wolverines got off to a quick start as the team jumped out to a 12-2 lead just seven minutes into the game. UVU led 20-8 with 7:37 remaining in the first half before Hartford went on a 14-6 run to cut the UVU lead to just four points, 26-22, with 2:30 left in the first. Utah Valley was able to extend the lead back to a 35-27 advantage at the break.
 
Utah Valley opened the second half on an 8-2 run to extend its lead to 16 points, 45-29 with 16:49 left to play. The Hawks responded with a 15-2 run over a five-minute span to cut the UVU lead to just five points, 47-42, with 11:50 remaining. Leading by just four points, 60-56, with 5:28 to play, the Wolverines out scored Hartford 12-9 the rest of the way to secure the
 
Toolson scored his 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, including a 3-of-7 clip from beyond the arc. He also knocked down 2-of-3 shots at the free throw line. Toolson also pulled down season-high seven rebounds.
 
Jake Toolson scored 12 points on a 4-of-7 mark from the field, including a pair of threes. He also had three assists. TJ Washington and Baylee Steele were also in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Washington dished out four assists, while Steele pulled down seven boards.
 
Utah Valley moves on to the championship game of the MGM Main Event on Wednesday at 3 p.m. (MST). The Wolverines will play the winner of today's game between Long Beach State and Iona.