The Hive Sports

December 11, 2024 – UCCU center. 

After taking to the road to gain experience, 4 straight losses, but mostly big paydays, the Utah Valley University men’s basketball played at home last night for the first time in just over a month! They played another non-conference game by hosting the Summit League’s North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

Going into the game, both teams looked fairly evenly matched, on paper. Both had overall 4-5 records on the season. Both teams were undefeated at home. However, Utah Valley was now at home. They didn’t disappoint the fans in attendance as they put a beat down on the Fighting Hawks 80 – 57.

To start the game, both teams looked slow, almost lethargic. Missing open jumpers and giving up turnovers, both teams seemed evenly matched. Early on, UVU was up 10 – 7, when the Fighting Hawks caught fire and went on an 11 point run, led by guard, Trevan Leonhardt. Down 18-10, UVU called a timeout. That’s when the Wolverines’ offense began to click. They went on to put up 11 unanswered points of their own! UVU was up 30-21 with just over 5 minutes remaining in the half. After a hard fought comeback attempt by ND, going into halftime, UVU clung to a 4-point lead. The score was 35 – 31.

As the 2nd half began, it was clear that changes had been made by UVU head coach Todd Phillips (2nd year). As the Wolverines stepped onto the court, they went on a 20-3 run to start the second half! They ran full court press, attacked the rim for offensive (and defensive) rebounds, and took much better shots than they did in the first half. All of which helped them to their snap their 4-game losing streak and keep their undefeated at home streak, this season, alive!

UVU had 3 players score in double digits: Carter Welling (19 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist); Tanner Toolson (10 points, 4 assiss); Dominick Nelson (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists). Two more Wolverines added 9 each; Trevan Leonhardt, who also had 9 boards and 6 assists; and Jackson Holcombe, who added 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Noah Taitz put up 8 points in 12 minutes off the bench. 

North Dakota had two players score in double digits. That simply wasn’t enough. Sophomore point guard, Treysen Eaglestaff, had 20 points, 2 assists, and 5 rebounds in 33 minutes play. Senior center, Amar Kuljuhovic, added up 13 points and 5 rebounds in 23 minutes. 

North Dakota is now in 4-6 on the season and in 7th place in the Summit League. UVU men’s team is now 5-5 on the season and in 5th place in Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

Photos by: Joe Oliver