Utah Valley Fights Off Cal Baptist To Snap Losing Streak
Jan 4, 2024, 8:18 PM | Updated: Jan 5, 2024, 9:44 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Valley men’s basketball team fended off the California Baptist Lancers to end a four-game losing streak by the Wolverines.
UVU ends four-game skid
The Wolverines hosted the Lancers at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah on Thursday, January 4.
UVU defeated Cal Baptist, 65-58.
First game of 2024 😎 🎉#GoUVU | #ValleyForged pic.twitter.com/3NnQO69DTW
— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 4, 2024
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The Wolverines won the contest thanks in part to a nice start to the game and a strong finish at the end of the second half. During the opening 2:55 of the first half, the Wolverines started the night on an 8-0 run.
The Lancers cut into UVU’s advantage and made it a one-possession game a few minutes later. However, Utah Valley owned the lead for the entirety of the game’s first 20 minutes and the Wolverines took a double-digit lead into the halftime break at 33-23.
Cal Baptist came out in the second half with a determination to get back into the game. The Lancers quickly trimmed the Wolverines’ lead down. Cal Baptist took its first lead of the night only 4:30 into the second half.
With 10:05 remaining in the game, Trevin Dorius made a pair of free throws to break a 46-46 tie. Less than 30 seconds later, Dorius dunked the ball to stretch UVU’s lead to two scores and the Wolverines maintained their lead throughout the final minutes of the evening.
#32 Trevin Dorius slams it down for UVU!#GoUVU | #ValleyForged pic.twitter.com/EBTs2YZ8tA
— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 5, 2024
Utah Valley finished the contest shooting 42.0 percent overall but went 0-8 on three-pointers. Cal Baptist shot 34.5 percent from the field, including 33.3 percent from downtown.
Drake Allen led UVU with 17 points on 5-9 field goals. Dominique Daniels Jr. had 20 points for the Lancers.
#3 Drake Allen puts it back and slams it down!#GoUVU | #ValleyForged pic.twitter.com/c9xDYrxzwd
— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 5, 2024
Up next for UVU men’s basketball
With the win, the Wolverines moved to a 7-7 record this season.
Utah Valley’s next game is at home against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Saturday, January 6 at 2 p.m. (MT).. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Threads (@kyleirelandksl), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl). and X (@kyleireland).
