OREM, Utah—Baylee Steele recorded his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead Utah Valley to a 79-61 win over WAC newcomer California Baptist on Wednesday night at the UCCU Center.
 
Utah Valley improves to 16-7 overall and 5-3 in WAC play. CBU falls to 10-10 on the year, including 2-5 in conference play.
 
The two teams played through five lead changes and four ties over the first 10 minutes of the game. Leading 16-15 with 9:58 left in the half, Baylee Steele threw down a dunk that sparked an impressive 21-3 run over the final 9:58 of the half as the Wolverines took a 37-18 lead into halftime.
 
California Baptist opened the second with an 18-4 run over the first five minutes to cut the UVU lead to just eight points, 44-36, with 14:01 remaining. The two teams played even over the next six minutes as the Wolverines held on to an eight-point lead, 57-49, with 7:33 to go.  The Lancers got the lead down to eight points but an and-one layup by Conner Toolson sparked 17-6 run to cap off the 79-61 win.
 
Steele's double-double was his second consecutive game as he shot a near perfect 5-6 from the field and 6-7 from the free throw line. Jake Toolson connected on five threes in the opening half on his way to finishing with a team high 17 points. Isaiah White and TJ Washington joined them in double figures with 15 and11 points, respectively. Washington also had a team-high four assists.
 
Acquah led CBU with 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds, leading the team in all three categories.
 
Utah Valley has 10 days off before the team travels to the Emerald City to take on Seattle U on Saturday, Feb. 9. The Wolverines will return to the UCCU Center on Feb. 21 against Chicago State.