Utah Valley defeats Tarleton St 85-91
Utah Valley Edges Tarleton St in Thrilling Conference Showdown
The Utah Valley Wolverines (AWAY) secured a hard-fought 91-85 victory over the host Tarleton St Texans at Wisdom Gym on Saturday, January 2nd.
As the visiting team, Utah Valley took control of the game early and never looked back. At halftime, they trailed by just three points, 40-43, but utilized their bench to outscore Tarleton St's reserves in the second half. The Wolverines' relentless pace and defense ultimately proved too much for the Texans to handle.
Dior Johnson led all scorers with 36 points, showcasing his impressive range from beyond the arc (3-5 3PT). Freddy Hicks chipped in with a double-double, snagging 10 rebounds and scoring 14 points. Cam McDowell contributed three assists and 26 points off the bench for Tarleton St.
In contrast, Utah Valley's balanced attack was led by Jackson Holcombe's 22 points on an efficient 75.0% shooting clip from the field (FG: 9/12). Isaac Hawkins grabbed nine rebounds and added 12 points, while Trevan Leonhardt dished out five assists and snagged six rebounds.
The game's statistical narrative highlighted Tarleton St's struggles with efficiency. The Texans shot just 42.0% from the field, including a dismal 28.0% mark from three-point range (5/18). Utah Valley, on the other hand, boasted an impressive 60.4% effective field goal percentage (eFG%) and 75.0% free throw rate (FT Rate).
The Wolverines' pace also played a significant role in their success. They outrebounded Tarleton St by seven, including a strong effort on the offensive glass (40). The Texans, meanwhile, struggled with turnovers, committing 17 against Utah Valley's 14.
In the context of conference play, this win marked a crucial triumph for the Wolverines. With several ranked teams still to come, every victory is significant. For Tarleton St, however, this setback serves as a wake-up call heading into the stretch run of non-conference play.
Overall, Utah Valley's impressive team effort showcased their capabilities in a closely contested matchup against the host Texans.