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OREM — The Utah Valley Wolverines may be headed to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament in Las Vegas next week, but it wasn't the way they wanted it to happen.
Saturday's bitter senior day defeat to the UT Arlington Mavericks saw the young Wolverines struggle with uncharacteristic disciplinary errors — Tanner Toolson's untimely technical foul — and a usually reliable 3-point defense allowing an 8-of-17 shooting exhibition in the first half.
It was another addition in a long line of games against top-four teams in the WAC that's gotten away this season, and it won't get any easier this week. The Wolverines (14-15, 9-9 WAC) will visit Tarleton State, winners of 10 straight games, Thursday at 6 p.m. MST, and Abilene Christian, winners of six straight games, Saturday at 2 p.m. MST.
The Texans (22-7, 15-3 WAC) sit a half-game behind first-place Grand Canyon, while the Wildcats (14-15, 9-9 WAC) recently clinched a berth into the WAC tourney after being in danger of missing it entirely a month ago following their 29-point loss in Orem — like Utah Valley was.
Forward Caleb Stone-Carrawell, a transfer from Austin Peay, said the young Wolverines learned Saturday that winning requires taking the right steps, especially holding one's emotions in check.
"The people who got in trouble owned up to their actions and mistakes," he said. "As players, we know what's right and what's wrong."
The redshirt senior has been one of the leaders who have shown just that for Utah Valley this season. Stone-Carrawell began the season as a starter, but now has carved out a role as a sixth man for the Wolverines, highlighted by a 14-point performance with just one missed shot from the field in 17 minutes during the win over Stephen F. Austin.
"Caleb's a huge part of what we're doing; I don't even see him as a bench player," Wolverines head coach Todd Phillips said. "When he plays well, we're a tough team to beat."
Where it matters more is his ability to be vocal on the court. Stone-Carrawell called himself a quiet person off the court, but said being engaged on the court and being uncomfortable in taking the leadership role has been a great learning experience for him.
"The real leaders have relationships with everyone from the walk-ons to the seniors," he said. "It's hard to push yourself to the limit and show that on the court, but those who do stand out."
It also wasn't easy for Stone-Carrawell to take on that leadership role while adjusting to being the new sixth man scorer for the Wolverines, but he said it was all about his mentality. "I was having a great year when it happened, so I could have easily been mad about it."
Instead, he's blossomed into that role.
Example A: While he was lighting the Lumberjacks up from the field on Feb. 24, he was heard screaming guard K'Mani Doughty's name in celebration as the reserve guard drained a corner 3-pointer off a great feed from Drake Allen near the end of the first half.
"Every one of us are great players individually," Stone-Carrawell said. "No matter how long you play, we can still make winning plays; that's our focus."
Phillips said that energy from players like Stone-Carrawell will be needed, especially heading into two particularly hostile environments this week. "At this time of the year, I know they're tired, but I'm excited for the guys."
Stone-Carrawell shares the same excitement; he said he feels Utah Valley still has things left to prove before the WAC tournament.
"We still need to compete at a high level," he said. "If we can do that, everything else will fall into place."
