ARLINGTON, Texas — Jackson Holcombe recorded a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double and Trevan Leonhardt added 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead Utah Valley to a 66-54 road win over UT Arlington on Saturday afternoon at College Park Center.
Utah Valley improves to 20-7 overall and remains alone in first place in the WAC with a 10-4 league record. UT Arlington falls to 15-12 overall and 7-8 in conference play. The Wolverines now hold a one-game lead over California Baptist atop the WAC standings.
The teams were tied 6-6 through the opening 4:24 before UT Arlington used a 7-1 run to take a 13-7 lead. Isaac Hawkins answered with back-to-back baskets to pull Utah Valley within two, 13-11, with 12:44 remaining in the half. The Mavericks then went on a 13-4 run over the next six minutes to build an 11-point advantage at 26-15 with 6:40 to play.
Sherman Weatherspoon IV knocked down a three-pointer to spark an 11-2 Utah Valley run that cut the deficit to two, 28-26, with 3:09 left in the half. UT Arlington closed the period on a 4-1 spurt to take a 32-27 lead into the break.
UTA maintained a five-point lead early in the second half and held a 38-33 advantage at the 15:28 mark. Holcombe then scored to ignite a 9-0 Utah Valley run, giving the Wolverines a 42-38 lead with 13:07 to play. Utah Valley maintained control from there, leading 52-48 with 6:30 remaining before scoring six straight points to push the lead to 58-48 with just over four minutes left. The Wolverines closed out the game by outscoring the Mavericks 8-7 down the stretch to secure the 66-54s win.
Holcombe finished with a game-high 19 points on 8-of-17 shooting, adding 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals for his eighth double-double of the season.
Leonhardt scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his double-double, adding two assists and two steals. Isaac Davis also reached double figures with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and added five rebounds and two assists. Hawkins chipped in nine points and six rebounds off the bench.
Utah Valley shot 40 percent (26-of-65) from the field and finished just 1-of-14 (7.1 percent) from three-point range. UT Arlington shot 34 percent (17-of-50) overall and 4-of-15 (26.7 percent) from beyond the arc.
The Wolverines dominated the glass, outrebounding the Mavericks 47-33, and held a 46-24 advantage in points in the paint.
Utah Valley returns home to Orem for a pair of games next week, hosting Tarleton State on Thursday and Abilene Christian on Saturday. Thursday's game is set for a 6 p.m. tip at the UCCU Center. Tickets are available at GoUVU.com/Tickets.