LAS VEGAS — It's a game of inches.
Despite Utah Valley holding a seven-point lead late, the WAC Player of the Year, California Baptist's Dominique Daniels Jr., hit three consecutive 3-pointers to give the Lancers the win and the final WAC Championship in conference history.
The Wolverines had a chance to tie it up late with Trevan Leonhardt running a pick-and-roll with Isaac Davis who missed a wide-open alley-oop dunk and the Lancers ran out the clock.
Utah Valley had guarded Daniels well throughout the game, holding him to 4-of-21 before Daniels caught fire and sent the Lancers to the big dance for the first time in program history.
Leonhardt was notably the primary defender of Daniels, and was a key reason he struggled through most of the game.
Leonhardt finished with six points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in the effort. Jackson Holcombe led the Wolverines in scoring with 18 points.
An eye-popping stat for Utah Valley was the free throw shooting, making just 14-of-24 attempts from the line.
The Wolverines, who had a wild ride to even play in the WAC Tournament, fell short for the second consecutive year and will join the Big West next season. It is unknown if Utah Valley will accept an invitation to the NIT
The Wolverines offense started slow with two turnovers, while California Baptist had already hit two 3-pointers and had a 6-0 lead.
The Lancers hit another 3-pointer and held a 9-2 lead while Utah Valley had four turnovers and three missed free throws on the offensive end.
Utah Valley found themselves by as many as 10 early, with California Baptist hitting its fourth 3-pointer to take a 14-4 lead over the Wolverines.
Despite forcing seven turnovers, the Wolverines still found themselves trailing due to their own five turnovers.
Seven straight misses by California Baptist gave the Wolverines enough time for a 6-0 run that saw them enter the bonus with eight minutes still to play in the half.
The Wolverines covered ground with Isaac Davis finishing an alley-oop and Jackson Holcombe followed it up with a floater to trim the deficit to two with four minutes to play.
Utah Valley was able to tie it up late in the half at 26 with a chance to take a lead into the half but the attempt fell short and the teams went into the second half knotted up.
While the Wolverines forced 10 turnovers, they only had two points to show for it and the free throws continued to be an issue, converting on 10-of-18 free throw attempts early into the first half.
Still, Utah Valley held a 42-35 lead with 12:07 to play after Braden Housley sparked a 9-0 run that led to a Rick Croy timeout.
The Lancers sprouted a 7-0 run themselves, tying the game up with 10 minutes to play in regulation.
The Wolverines then took over with an 8-0 run, with Sherman Weatherspoon IV hitting a key 3-pointer and Holcombe converted an and-one to take a seven point lead with 2:57 to play.
Daniels hit back-to-back 3-pointers, including making Leonhardt hit the floor on a crossover, and tied the game with 61 seconds to play.
Holcombe hit one of two free throws to give the Wolverines a one point lead with 30 seconds to play.
Daniels hit the third and final 3-pointer to elevate the Lancers to a two point lead with 10 seconds to play.
