Tanner Toolson, Dominick Nelson Each Earn WAC Weekly Awards
Jan 21, 2025, 4:14 PM
Utah Valley Wolverines guard Tanner Toolson (5) puts the ball in during the game against the Utah Utes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
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OREM, Utah- The Utah Valley Wolverines are making a statement in the WAC as they currently own the nation’s seventh-longest win streak and are a perfect 5-0 in conference play.
The Wolverines were picked to finish fifth in the WAC Preseason Poll, but are in prime position to take the No. 1 seed into the conference tournament as the team enters the final third of the season.
Two of Utah Valley’s main contributors during their dominant run have been Tanner Toolson and Dominick Nelson, who for their performances have each earned WAC weekly recognitions.
After a 2-0 week that included an OT win at UT Arlington & an impressive 2nd half in win over Utah Tech, @UVUmbb sweeps the weekly awards.
Tanner Toolson is the Player of the Week
Dom Nelson is the Newcomer of the Week.Toolson averaged 20.0 points & 4.5 rebounds
Nelson…
— WACHoopsNation (@WACHoopsNation) January 21, 2025
Utah Valley played two games last week, an overtime thriller in Texas that featured a last-second bucket that boosted the Wolverines past UT Arlington, and an in-state feature against Utah Tech at home which UVU won by 16.
Both Toolson and Nelson played major roles in the undefeated week which earned them conference recognition.
Tanner Toolson
After a year in Provo, Tanner Toolson transferred a few miles north and is currently playing in his second year as a member of the Wolverines. This year, the sophomore out of Vancouver, Washington is averaging the most points of his career at 11.9 as well as 4.2 rebounds.
Against UT Arlington, Tanner shot extremely well from all over the floor, knocking down three three-pointers as part of his seven total made shots that led to 22 points. He shot at nearly a 60% clip, but he was also a factor on the defensive side of the ball, adding three steals to the stat sheet, good for a season-high.
He followed up his outstanding performance against the Mavericks with an almost identical stat line in the Wolverines’ big win over Utah Tech. Toolson ended the night with 18 points on 6-11 shooting and three three-pointers. He also pulled down five rebounds.
His efficiency on the offensive end along with his impacts in other aspects of the game earned Tanner Toolson the WAC Player of the Week.
🏀 @UCU_LA Men's Basketball Player of the Week 🏀
Tanner Toolson | @UVUmbb #OneWAC x #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/vOyCLdezB7
— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) January 21, 2025
Dominick Nelson
Dominick Nelson is a Junior but is playing in his first year at Utah Valley after making the jump from Junior College to NCAA Division I. Nelson spent two years at Polk State College in his home state of Florida before coming to Orem.
Dominick averaged more than 15 points per game for the Eagles, and his impact translated immediately as he is the Wolverines’ leading scorer through 19 games this season, scoring an average of 14.9 points per game.
Dominick led the Wolverines in scoring against UT Arlington with a season-high 25 points, as well as four rebounds and five assists. Six of his points came in the overtime period to propel Utah Valley past the Mavericks.
Nelson went for 15 points, four rebounds, and an assist against Utah Tech, just about matching his season averages.
For his contributions in Utah Valley’s perfect week, Dominick Nelson earned the WAC Newcomer of the Week.
🏀 @UCU_LA Men's Basketball Newcomer of the Week 🏀
Dominick Nelson | @UVUmbb#OneWAC x #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/NX58sJqnLx
— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) January 21, 2025
Next For The Utah Valley Wolverines
The Utah Valley Wolverines will seek to extend their winning streak to nine games on the road against the California Baptist Lancers. UVU and CBU will tip off at 9:00 p.m. MT and will be nationally televised on ESPNU.
