Utah Valley Men’s Basketball Gets Win Over Abilene Christian Wildcats

ABILENE, Texas – The Utah Valley Wolverines traveled to Moody Coliseum in Texas to take on the Abilene Christian Wildcats on Saturday.

The Wolverines last game was a blowout loss to the Tarleton Texans on the road. The Wildcats last game was a 2-point loss to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.

Utah Valley men’s basketball sat atop the Western Athletic Conference ahead of the matchup. However, a loss in their last game left only a game difference between them and the second seed.

First Half

The Wolverines started off slow in Abilene. They went down by 8 points after the first 3 minutes of the game.

Utah Valley found their offense and began to make their shots from deep.

Harmon to Darthard for 3️⃣#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/rOTWdtEKmh

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

Halfway through the first half, UVU trailed, 20-16.

The rest of the half was mostly defense. Utah Valley was able to drop the lead down to a single possession.

Bandaogo with the BLOCK!#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/lQT3QLavKR

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

Aziz Bandaogo threw down a strong two-hand slam off of an assist.

Darthard with the dish to Bandaogo#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/Q3bWu1ZNmI

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

Justin Harmon also had an impressive finish just before the break.

Harmon gets to the hoop and somehow gets it in with the left hand. #UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/yjhcndLfb3

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

UVU was down 3 at the half, 31-28.

Halftime in Abilene.#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops #NCAAMBB pic.twitter.com/ElHYUkrzqE

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

Second Half

Utah Valley came out of the break strong. They were able to get easy looks on offense.

Tim Fuller tips it back in.#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/yCwbpojD6R

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

Three minutes into the half, the Wolverines took their first lead of the game.

Harmon gets out on the break to give UVU its first lead of the game.#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/AkeNZxeitU

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

They built off of the momentum and opened a multi-possession lead.

Halfway through the first half, Utah Valley led by 4, 48-44.

Tahj Small from long range!#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/9tio9inCpO

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

Bandaogo put down another impressive dunk.

Bandaogo with the double flush.#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/ODpKFPgWYA

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

UVU regained the lead with 3 minutes remaining. With a minute left, they were up by four.

Trey Woodbury gives UVU the lead!#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/S1M2T5e46v

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

Bandaogo had a clutch dunk in the final minute.

Trey Woodbury finds Aziz for the flush!!!#UVUhoops #UVUatACU #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/HZuhWv65lq

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) February 26, 2023

The Wildcats converted on a crazy four-point play to drop the lead to two with 20 seconds left.

.@immanuel_allen with an INSANE jump shot!!!!#GoWildcats pic.twitter.com/JJh0iO2RIu

— ACU Men’s Basketball (@ACU_MBB) February 26, 2023

The Wolverines were able to fight off the late surge by Abilene Christian and win, 66-62.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.

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