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Orem Today
By the People, for the People
Utah Valley, California Baptist to Face Off in WAC Tournament Final
The winner will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament
Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:21am
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Utah Valley and California Baptist will compete for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship on Saturday night at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Utah Valley secured its spot in the final with a 67-65 victory over UT Arlington in the semifinals, while California Baptist advanced after defeating Utah Tech 86-72. This will be the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams, with Utah Valley winning two of the three previous matchups.
Why it matters
The winner of Saturday's championship game will receive the Western Athletic Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, making this a high-stakes matchup with significant implications for both teams' postseason aspirations.
The details
Utah Valley (25-7) is seeking its first WAC Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines are led by All-WAC First Team selections Trevan Leonhardt and Jackson Holcombe, who have helped the team win 21 of its last 25 games. California Baptist (24-8) advanced to the final after a 41-point performance from Dominique Daniels Jr. in the semifinals against Utah Tech.
- The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2026 at 9 p.m. PT/10 p.m. MT.
- Utah Valley secured its spot in the final with a 67-65 victory over UT Arlington on Friday night.
The players
Trevan Leonhardt
Utah Valley's All-WAC First Team selection who averages 12.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Jackson Holcombe
Utah Valley's leading scorer, averaging 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and the program's single-season record holder with 71 steals.
Dominique Daniels Jr.
California Baptist's leading scorer who had 41 points in the semifinal win over Utah Tech.
What’s next
The winner of Saturday night's championship game will receive the Western Athletic Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
This matchup between Utah Valley and California Baptist represents a high-stakes battle for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, with the winner earning the WAC's automatic bid and a chance to compete on the national stage.
