It was a big week last week (as it seems every week is) in the race for the Western Athletic Conference men's basketball regular season title. UT Arlington split the week with a dominant win against Southern Utah and an overtime loss to California Baptist, both at home. That loss did not give separation in the standings. Then this week, news broke that could have a huge impact on the race.
First, the Mavericks hosted the Thunderbirds last Thursday. UTA never trailed in the game as they throttled SUU. The lead went as high as 25 a couple of times in the second half as UTA won 80-61. UTA shot 43.3 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from three-point land while allowing a similar field goal percentage and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. Senior forward Raysean Seamster led all scorers with 16 while freshman forward Amari Reed had nine rebounds to lead all players.
That set up a battle between 6-2 UTA and 5-3 California Baptist. Utah Valley was 6-3 entering the day meaning a UTA loss would put a three-way tie for first and a UTA win would put the Mavericks in sole possession of first by a full game.
I heard someone say this was a great game. I disagree. It was a bad game for UTA with a great ending to regulation. UTA never had a lead in the game but kept the deficit to single digits until a 7-0 Lancer run gave CBU a 12-point lead when the game clock ticked under four minutes. The teams basically traded baskets as CBU had a ten-point lead at the two-minute mark.
From that point on, UTA only allowed two free throws, but only allowed one shot, a miss. Meanwhile, CBU didn't help its cause, going two for seven from the free throw line. Meanwhile, UTA gathered seven rebounds, one block and one steal in the last two minutes.
But offensively, the comeback was slow. UTA only scored once between one and two minutes remaining, a dunk by Seamster. UTA missed two shots in that time.
But the last minute, it was a blink and you missed it. UTA went on a 10-2 run in that last minute to force OT. Senior guard Marcell McCreary hit a three (thanks to a Reed offensive rebound) to bring UTA within five. CBU missed two free throws, McCreary hit another three to bring UTA within two.
Dom Daniels, the CBU graduate guard and WAC preseason player of the year went an uncharacteristic one of two at the free throw line, moving the Lancer lead to three. Daniels fouled sophomore guard Cash Chavis who made both free throws. With UTA trailing one, the Lancers put it back in Daniels' hands leading to an immediate foul. He again only made one in two tries, putting the CBU lead at two. UTA. Seamster grabbed the missed free throw and on the offensive end, Chavis went in the lane. His shot was just short in contact that wasn't called. But as time expired, Reed grabbed the board and immediately dunked the ball to tie it and send the game into overtime.
The teams traded buckets to open. At 70 all, CBU rode Daniels, who almost single-handedly beat UVU in IT the week prior hit a three. McCreary tried to answer but missed. An offensive rebound led to another Daniels three and all of a sudden, UTA trailed by six.
After CBU elevated their lead to eight with two minutes to go, UTA trimmed it to four on a three by freshman guard Jordan Lowery. Daniels scored five of the last eight CBU points from there. The Lancers went six of eight from the free throw line to redeem themselves. The Mavs missed four three-point tries in that span and CBU won 87-77.
Despite 77 points, only two Mavs were in double digits. McCreary had 19 while Chavis scored 12 and Seamster was just off at nine. It was a balanced effort as ten Mavericks scored. Meanwhile, CBU had five players in double digits, led by Daniels' 28. UTA did outrebound CBU 44-40 and only had 13 turnovers.
As mentioned, there's a three-way tie for first. However, news broke that the WAC and Utah Valley are having a disagreement. Utah Valley has not paid their exit fee while CBU has. The WAC is suing UVU and has moved their status to a member not in good standing. That means UVU is not eligible to play in any WAC tourney. I'll go in a little more detail later, but it may mean that UTA is actually in a two-way tie for first.
It also means that UVU can right the ship at any point by paying the fee. Should UVU pay right before the WAC tourney in Las Vegas, they will all of a sudden be eligible. It creates a lot of drama as the season progresses.
For the Mavs, they have a busy week that will impact the standings. Tonight, UTA plays in Saint George, Utah versus Utah Tech. The Trailblazers are 6-4, half a game back in fourth place. Whoever wins will move ahead of the other in the standings. UTA won a narrow 56-52 game where they got a big, double-digit lead before UT made a comeback in the last portion of the second half. UTA needed four free throws in the final minute to keep the lead and get the win. UT has won three in a row and four of their last five.
Then on Saturday, it is another trek to the WAC leader as Utah Valley hosts the Mavs. The Mavs were blown out last time as the Wolverines won 86-74. UVU had a 21-point lead with three and a half minutes remaining. UTA will look to start better when UVU jumped out to a 12-0 start.
As of now, those two teams are tied for first. As of now, only UTA is eligible for the postseason. The normal drama of a sports season has gotten a B plot to add to the theatrics. As of now, UTA controls its destiny in the Soap Opera of the 2025/26 basketball season.
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