ST. GEORGE, Utah – Utah Valley was unable to capitalize on a late lead as the Wolverines fell in overtime, 80-75, on the road at Dixie State. UVU held a 69-62 lead with 37 seconds left in the game but was unable to pull away as DSU converted a three-point play with six seconds left to send the game to overtime.
 
UVU drops to 17-9 on the season and 8-6 in WAC play. The Trailblazers improve to 13-14 on the year and 6-8 in the conference play.
 
Connor Harding hit a three to get things going as UVU go out to an 8-0 lead in the opening minutes. After both teams exchanged buckets, Dixie State used a 13-5 run to cut the lead down to 22-21 with 10:08 to go in the first half. Fardaws Aimaq pushed the lead back out to three points, but the Trailblazers used a 10-3 to take a 34-30 advantage with 4:14 remaining in the opening half. Tim Ceaser hit a jumper with three minutes left in the half, but UVU went scoreless the rest of the period as DSU took a 36-32 lead into the break.
 
Harding and Justin Harmon got the Wolverines going in the second half, sparking a 12-5 run to put UVU back ahead, 46-41, with 15:11 to go in the second half. Both teams alternated quick runs as a pair of free throws by Asa McCord tied the game up at 58-58 with 6:59 remaining. Dixie State scored back-to-back baskets to go up by four points, but Utah Valley ripped off an 11-0 run to go up, 69-62, with 37 seconds left. The Trailblazers finished regulation on an 8-1 run as Utah Valley was unable to put the game away at the free throw line. Following an and-one layup by DSU to tie the game up, Utah Valley was unable to convert on the potential game-winning shot at the buzzer as the game moved to overtime, tied at 70.
 
A pair of free throws by Harding put the Wolverines up 72-70 to start overtime, but Dixie State used an 8-1 run to retake the lead, 78-73, with 2:07 to go in the game. Utah Valley was unable to convert from the foul line and from deep as DSU held on for the 80-75 win in the Old Hammer rivalry.
 
Aimaq notched his second straight 20-20 game, and third of the season, tallying 20 points, on 9-15 shooting, to go along with 21 rebounds and a team-high three steals. Harmon led the Wolverines 23 points to go along with a season-high nine rebounds and a pair of blocks. Harding added 12 points, Tim Fuller chipped in nine rebounds, and Blaze Nield chipped in a team-high four assists.
 
The Wolverines shot 40.6 percent from the field, including 6-19 from deep, and 17-25 from the charity stripe. UVU won the rebounding battle, 47-39, but the Trailblazers hit 12 threes, the most Utah Valley has surrendered this season. The Wolverines dominated inside with a 34-28 advantage in the paint and 11-4 advantage in second chance points, but Dixie State converted 17 UVU turnovers into 17 points. With the loss, UVU dropped its first overtime decision in five attempts.
 
The Wolverines return home as UVU hosts WAC-lead Seattle U in the UCCU Center on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 6:00 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and ESPN 960 AM. Utah Valley then welcomes California Baptist on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 2:00 p.m. MT, for UVU's final home game of the season.