California Baptist punches berth to NCAA tournament as Utah Valley suffers heartbreak
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The Utah Valley Wolverines suffered immense heartbreak in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) men’s basketball championship game against California Baptist on Saturday.
The Wolverines trailed 63-61 with about 10 seconds left to play. Utah Valley ran a play as they brought in the ball from the sideline. Trevan Leonhardt received the pass and Isaac Davis set up the pick and roll. Leonhardt dodged the defender and Davis had a great chance.
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The California Baptist Lancers celebrate defeating the Wolverines 63-61 in the Western Athletic Conference championship game at Orleans Arena on March 14, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Davis attempted an alley-oop dunk, but couldn’t finish it. He sat on the ground in disbelief.
The Lancers won the game and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
California Baptist star Dominique Daniels Jr. scored 23 points and hit two 3-pointers in the final two minutes of the game to lead his team to the big dance. Bradey Henige scored 11 points and Jonathan Griman added 10.
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Dominique Daniels Jr. of the California Baptist Lancers celebrates defeating the Utah Valley Wolverines at Orleans Arena on March 14, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
It will be the first tournament berth in the history of California Baptist men’s basketball. The school moved from Division II to Division I in 2018 and became postseason eligible during the 2022-23 season.
Utah Valley saw its seven-game winning streak snapped. The school is 25-7 overall this season and could very well be out heading into the tournament. The Wolverines were the regular season Western Athletic Conference champions.
Dominique Daniels Jr. of the California Baptist Lancers shoots against Isaac Davis of the Utah Valley Wolverines in the Western Athletic Conference championship game on March 14, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
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Next season, both teams will join the Big West Conference. The WAC will be renamed the United Athletic Conference.
The News contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor at News Digital.