‘It hurts’: UVU falls in WAC championship game for 2nd straight year, one win away from NCAAs
Wolverines had a 6-point lead late, but missed dunk attempt on final play leaves UVU 2 points short against Cal Baptist.
Utah Valley guard Jackson Holcombe chases down a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against San Diego State Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in San Diego. | Gregory Bull Utah Valley’s journey towards its first NCAA Tournament appearance in men’s basketball is going to have to wait another year.
How the Wolverines lost, too, is going to leave a bitter taste for a long time. UVU came agonizingly close late Saturday night before falling 63-61 to Cal Baptist in the WAC tournament championship game at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The Wolverines (25-8), the WAC regular-season champions, held a six-point lead with 2:22 to play, but league player of the year Dominique Daniels Jr.
overcame a poor shooting night and hit three 3-pointers in the final 1:52, including the go-ahead score with 14. 6 seconds to play. The Wolverines took a timeout after Daniels’ final 3 of the night gave Cal Baptist (25-8) the 63-61 lead and drew up a play that appeared headed for success and would force overtime.
Trevan Leonhardt drove to the hoop and drew in a pair of defenders, then threw a backside lob to Isaac Davis. Davis, though, had the dunk attempt miss long, glancing off the back of the rim, with two seconds on the clock. The Lancers grabbed the rebound, and the celebration was on for Cal Baptist — while the heartbreak was just beginning for UVU.
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