![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/D6A2272-1200x800.jpg\")
<\/p>\nJackson Holcombe posted a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead five Wolverines in double figures as Utah Valley opened the 2025-26 season with a 116-35 win over West Coast Baptist on Tuesday night at the UCCU Center.<\/p>\n
The 81-point margin of victory is the largest in program history. The 116 points rank second all-time behind the school record of 123 set in a four-overtime game at Chicago State in 2009.<\/p>\n
Utah Valley opened the game on a 15-0 run and never looked back, holding the Eagles without a field goal for nearly four minutes. Trevan Leonhardt knocked down a pair of early threes, while Holcombe threw down a dunk and Tyler Hendricks connected on back-to-back triples to push the lead to 26-5.<\/p>\n
The Wolverines continued to roll behind an 11-0 spurt capped by a Noah Taitz three-pointer that extended the advantage to 37-7 midway through the first half. UVU hit 64 points by halftime, taking a 64-16 lead into the break.<\/p>\n
Utah Valley opened the second half on an 18-0 run and reached the century mark on a Leonhardt three and a Taitz dunk with 9:55 remaining. The Wolverines outscored West Coast Baptist 52-19 in the second half to secure the 116-35 win.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Courtesy UVU Marketing<\/p>\n
Utah Valley’s Hayden Welling (8) wrestles for a ball with a West Coast Baptist player in a men’s college basketball exhibition game at the UCCU Center on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2025.<\/p>\n
Holcombe led the way with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and a 3-of-3 mark from the free-throw line to go with 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Hendricks scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-5 from long range, while adding seven rebounds and three blocks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a game where we got to play everybody,\u201d said Utah Valley head coach Todd Phillips. \u201cOur size and athleticism overpowered them, but for me it was about playing the right way. I was proud of how we shared the ball\u201332 assists on eight turnovers is really good\u2013and how we guarded. It was a great first game in front of our crowd and a good way to prepare for a tough one on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leonhardt added 14 points and nine assists, while freshman forward Isaac Hawkins recorded a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double. Isaac Davis also reached double figures with 12 points. Sherman Weatherspoon IV hit three triples for nine points, while Braden Housley added eight.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt felt great to finally get out there with my teammates for the first time,\u201d said Hendricks. \u201cCoach always says to play as one, and that\u2019s what we did tonight. I just tried to be aggressive and do whatever helps the team win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Utah Valley finished the night shooting 56 percent (47-of-84) from the field and 39 percent (13-of-33) from three-point range. The Wolverines held West Coast Baptist to just 17.7 percent (11-of-62) shooting and a 2-of-22 mark from deep.<\/p>\n
The Wolverines will now travel to Boise, Idaho, to face Boise State on Saturday afternoon at ExtraMile Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on the Mountain West Network.<\/p>\n
\u201cSaturday\u2019s going to be a fight,\u201d Phillips said. \u201cWe\u2019ll get an angry Boise State team, and we\u2019ve got to be ready to compete.\u201d<\/p>\n
Print Friendly Version<\/p>\n
Players Mentioned<\/p>\n
#2 Jackson Holcombe<\/p>\n