OREM—Tyler Hendricks matched a career high with 22 points and Jackson Holcombe added 18 as Utah Valley rolled to a 90-74 win over in-state rival Weber State on Wednesday night at the UCCU Center.
Utah Valley won its 17th straight home game to improve to 9-3 overall, extending its winning streak to four games. The team has now won seven of its last eight games. Weber State dropped to 5-6 on the season.
"We had 50 of our 90 points in the paint, which was an emphasis for us," head coach Todd Phillips said. "I'm proud of the guys for playing the right way. We had 23 assists, and when we do that, we're tough to beat."
The Wildcats led 7-6 early before Hendricks sparked a momentum shift with a four-point play, knocking down a three and converting the free throw to ignite a 12-5 Utah Valley run that gave the Wolverines an 18-12 lead with 12:18 remaining in the first half. Weber State answered with an 8-2 spurt to pull even at 20-20, but Utah Valley responded by scoring eight unanswered points as part of a 14-4 run to take a 34-24 advantage with 4:27 to play. The Wolverines carried a 40-32 lead into halftime.
Noah Taitz and Hendricks opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers as Utah Valley pushed its lead to 46-32 less than two minutes in. After Weber State cut the deficit to 10, Hendricks again delivered, knocking down a three and completing an and-one to fuel a 12-6 run that extended the lead to 58-42 with 13:26 remaining.
The Wildcats trimmed the margin to eight midway through the half, but Utah Valley responded with a decisive 12-2 run over a three-minute stretch to rebuild an 18-point cushion at 80-62 with 3:40 left, effectively sealing the win.
"They're so tough and they just keep fighting," Phillips said. "They made a run and cut it down, but I was really proud of how our guys responded. We're learning to win in a lot of different ways."
Hendricks scored his 22 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc, and was a perfect 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. He added three rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
"He's just so smooth and even-keeled," Phillips said. "We put a lot on him, and he's answered the call. He can guard their best player and still make big shots for us."
Holcombe finished with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 6-of-9 at the line while adding six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
Isaac Hawkins delivered a career night off the bench, scoring a career-high 15 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting while pulling down five rebounds with two blocks.
"He was huge for us," Phillips said. "A lot of those are easy baskets around the rim, and that's something he does really well. We've emphasized getting him more touches, and he keeps getting better."
Taitz added a season-high 13 points, and Hayden Welling chipped in 10 points and four assists off the bench as Utah Valley shot 58.6 percent (34-of-58) from the field and 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from three-point range.
Utah Valley outrebounded Weber State 35-29 and outscored the Wildcats 50-48 in the paint.
"I think our guys have a great feel at home," Phillips said. "Our crowd is huge for us, and there's a mentality here that you don't lose at home."
Utah Valley will close out nonconference play on Saturday afternoon at the UCCU Center against Bethesda. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Utah Valley women's team, which hosts Idaho State at noon.
