UVU Exits WAC Tournament With Defeat To Grand Canyon
Mar 15, 2019, 11:32 PM
Courtesy of UVU
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Utah Valley Wolverines bowed out of the Western Athletic Conference tournament with a 78-74 loss to Grand Canyon.
In a game that was largely back-and-forth the whole way, the Antelopes came up with big baskets and defensive stops when it mattered most to send UVU packing.
Despite holding a 44-40 advantage at halftime, UVU sputtered at the wrong time while Grand Canyon was able to take advantage and steal a win from the Wolverines, despite UVU playing a solid game.
It's raining here in the desert#GoUVU #WACvegas #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/zDsYpqrNoS
— UVU Athletics (@GoUVU) March 16, 2019
Probably the biggest detriment that UVU had going against it was an off-night by WAC Player of the Year Jake Toolson. The junior guard had just seven points on 3-for-11 shooting in the game.
His cousin, Conner, tried to pick up the slack with a team-high 16 points with a team-high seven rebounds but it wasn’t enough to help the Wolverines advance to the championship game.
Grand Canyon’s Carlos Johnson authored a terrific performance with 35 points on 12-of-22 shooting with six 3-pointers made.
The Wolverines lost despite shooting 50.9 percent from the field. The Antelopes shot 43.9 percent from the field.
Did you see that?? 👀#GoUVU #WACvegas #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/5WMPOVl3hV
— UVU Athletics (@GoUVU) March 16, 2019
With a 24-8 record overall and a 12-5 record in conference play, the Wolverines are expected to be on the outside looking in as far as an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament is concerned. Many national pundits believe they have a strong resume for the NIT.
Grand Canyon will move to play top-seeded New Mexico State in the championship game on Saturday.
