OREM—Dominick Nelson scored a team-high 15 points and Tanner Toolson added 14 to lead Utah Valley to its sixth consecutive win with a 75-69 win over California Baptist on Saturday afternoon at the UCCU Center.

Utah Valley improves to 11-6 overall and remains unbeaten in WAC play at 3-0, while CBU falls to 8-8 overall and 1-1 in league action.

Trailing 63-61 with 3:29 remaining, Trevan Leonhardt drilled a pivotal three-pointer to put the Wolverines ahead 64-63. Moments later, Tanner Toolson hit another three to extend UVU's lead to 67-63 with 2:36 to go. After a three by CBU's Adam Moussa cut the lead to 69-67, Utah Valley closed out the game with a 6-2 run over the final 1:13 to secure the win.

"We came out of the huddle, and we talked about how, whatever's happened the rest of the game, we've got four minutes to win," Leonhardt said. "Carter [Welling] made a good pass, told me to shoot it, and I think I only had one option there. I let it go, and I'm happy we got the win."

Nelson led UVU with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting and added seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. "He's almost unguardable in transition," Leonhardt said of Nelson. "He's quick, shifty, and a good playmaker. He's fantastic for us."

Toolson finished with 14 points, including a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line, and added six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal. "That three by Trevan was huge, and then Tanner followed it with another big one," said UVU head coach Todd Phillips. "We trust them both to take those shots in big moments."

Carter Welling narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, while Leonhardt contributed nine points, four rebounds, and four steals. Off the bench, Hayden Welling knocked down a key three-pointer and chipped in seven points.

Utah Valley shot 44.8% (26-of-58) from the field and an impressive 87% (20-of-23) from the free throw line while outrebounding the Lancers 41-29. 

"Winning the rebound war was a big focus for us," Phillips said. "CBU is the best rebounding team in the league, so to outrebound them 41-29 was huge."

AJ Braun led CBU with 16 points, while Dominic Daniels Jr. added 15. The Wolverines' defensive effort stood out, holding CBU to just eight free throw attempts and limiting Daniels, one of the league's top scorers, to 15 points on 30% shooting. "We didn't foul him or send him to the line, which was huge," Phillips said. "Our discipline was on full display tonight."

The Wolverines also fed off their home crowd, improving to 7-0 at the UCCU Center this season. "We love playing at home," Leonhardt said. "The energy from our fans has been amazing, and we want this place packed every game. Protecting the den is a huge focus for us."

Utah Valley now heads on the road to face UT Arlington on Thursday, Jan. 16. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MT, with the game broadcast live on ESPN+ and the Wolverine Sports Network (960 AM/103.9 FM in Utah County, 98.3 FM/101.5 HD2 in Salt Lake County). Utah Valley's next home game is set for Saturday, Jan. 18 against in-state foe Utah Tech. Tickets are available online at GoUVU.com.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
Utah Valley missed its first nine shots before Nelson's basket at the 15-minute mark made it 4-2 CBU. A layup from Welling sparked a 7-2 Wolverine run, giving UVU a 9-6 lead with 11:58 remaining. After holding a 12-9 advantage, the Wolverines surrendered a 12-2 run as CBU jumped ahead 21-14 with 6:21 left in the half. UVU answered with a 15-1 run, highlighted by a Nelson dunk, to take a 29-22 lead with 1:21 to go. The Lancers scored the final three points of the half, but UVU still led 29-25 at the break.

Second Half
Utah Valley maintained its lead early in the second half, holding a 35-31 advantage at the 17-minute mark. CBU responded with a 10-6 run to tie the game at 41-41 with 14 minutes to play. The teams traded leads and ties over the next several minutes, with CBU taking a 53-49 lead. A 7-3 Wolverine run, powered by four points from Hayden Welling, tied the game at 56-56 with 8:12 to play. With the game tied at 61-61 with 3:54 remaining, Leonhardt's three-pointer gave UVU a 64-63 lead. Toolson followed with another three to push the lead to 67-63 with 2:36 to go. After CBU cut the deficit to two, 69-67, the Wolverines held strong, closing out the game on a 6-2 run to secure the 75-69 victory.