Utah Valley Dominates Samford in Convincing Win
Wednesday, November 26, 2025, 6:00 PM ET · Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Utah Valley Wolverines 89, Samford Bulldogs 45, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Samford Bulldogs vs Utah Valley Wolverines?
Utah Valley Wolverines beat Samford Bulldogs 89-45 at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya on November 26, 2025.
Who was favored in Samford Bulldogs vs Utah Valley Wolverines?
Utah Valley Wolverines were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -360 (about 78% implied). The favorite won.
In a commanding performance, the Utah Valley Wolverines defeated the Samford Bulldogs 89-45 at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. This victory not only showcased Utah Valley's strength but also marked a significant improvement from their previous meeting, where they lost to Samford 76-84 on November 28, 2024. The Wolverines entered the game with a home record of 5-1 and a recent form of 7-3 over their last ten games, while the Bulldogs had a more challenging season, standing at 4-6 in their last ten outings.
Utah Valley's recent form has been impressive, highlighted by a two-game winning streak. They averaged 80.7 points scored and allowed 66.2 points over their last ten games, indicating a solid offensive and defensive balance. Their last five games saw them scoring an average of 79.2 points while allowing 72.0, further emphasizing their capability to control the game. In contrast, Samford's recent record of 4-6 included a single win in their last five games, with an average of 79.6 points scored but a concerning 82.7 points allowed, indicating defensive vulnerabilities.
At home, Utah Valley has been particularly strong, boasting a record of 5-1. Their ability to score at home has been notable, as they have consistently put up high numbers, including a staggering 116 points against West Coast Baptist earlier this season. Samford, on the other hand, has struggled on the road with a 1-2 record at home and a 3-4 record away, which contributed to their overall performance issues.
The Wolverines' victory was characterized by a strong second half, where they maintained control and continued to extend their lead. Key scoring plays included three-pointers and free throws from players like AJ Riggs and Isaiah Campbell-Finch, who contributed significantly to the final score. The Bulldogs, despite their efforts, were unable to match the Wolverines' intensity and scoring efficiency.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any players missing from either team, suggesting that both squads were at full strength for this matchup. This allowed Utah Valley to leverage their depth and skill effectively throughout the game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Utah Valley favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 148.5. The Wolverines' strong performance not only covered the spread but also highlighted their potential as a formidable team in the league. With a moneyline of -360 for Utah Valley and +285 for Samford, the odds reflected the Wolverines' dominance in this matchup.
Conditions in the venue were conducive to a high-scoring game, and Utah Valley took full advantage, showcasing their offensive prowess. For viewers, the game illustrated the importance of defensive strategy and the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, as Utah Valley executed their game plan effectively.
Overall, this game served as a statement for Utah Valley, reinforcing their status as a competitive force in the NCAAB landscape while raising questions about Samford's ability to compete against stronger teams.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UVU -7.5 | 148.5 o -105 / u -115 | Samford Bulldogs +285 · Utah Valley Wolverines -360 |
Leaders
- PointsJackson Holcombe21Utah Valley Wolverines
- AssistsBraden Housley5Utah Valley Wolverines
- ReboundsTyler Hendricks6Utah Valley Wolverines
- PointsIsaiah Campbell-Finch12Samford Bulldogs
- AssistsWill Shaver3Samford Bulldogs
- ReboundsKam Martin4Samford Bulldogs
Recent form
Utah Valley Wolverines
Last 10: 7-3Streak W280.7 scored · 66.2 allowed per game5-1 at home
- W75-52at South Dakota State JackrabbitsNov 25
- W79-72vs UC Irvine AnteatersNov 20
- L74-75at Fresno State BulldogsNov 16
- W91-60vs Westminster (UT) GriffinsNov 13
- L77-101at Boise State BroncosNov 8
- W116-35vs West Coast Baptist EaglesNov 5
- L82-89vs Grand Canyon LopesMar 16
- W68-55vs Seattle U RedhawksMar 15
- W74-57vs Utah Tech TrailblazersMar 13
- W71-66at Tarleton State TexansMar 9
Samford Bulldogs
Last 10: 4-6Streak W179.6 scored · 82.7 allowed per game3-4 away
- W78-63at Georgia State PanthersNov 25
- L72-81at New Mexico State AggiesNov 22
- L62-77vs Florida Gulf Coast EaglesNov 20
- W84-77at Central Arkansas BearsNov 16
- L75-79at Arkansas RazorbacksNov 15
- W93-90at Texas Southern TigersNov 13
- W82-72vs South Carolina State BulldogsNov 8
- L72-85at Tulane Green WaveNov 4
- L78-95vs Furman PaladinsMar 9
- L100-108at UNC Greensboro SpartansMar 1
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State | 23-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Mercer | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Wofford | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Samford | 18-14 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Furman | 22-13 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Western Carolina | 15-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| UNC Greensboro | 15-19 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Chattanooga | 13-19 | 6 | 7-11 |
| The Citadel | 11-22 | 6 | 7-11 |
| VMI | 6-26 | 12 | 1-17 |
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
Box score
| Stat | Samford Bulldogs | Utah Valley Wolverines |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 17-67 | 35-62 |
| Field goal % | 25 | 56 |
| Three-pointers | 6-27 | 7-14 |
| Three-point % | 22 | 50 |
| Free throws | 5-12 | 12-15 |
| Free throw % | 42 | 80 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 44 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 35 |
| Assists | 7 | 24 |
| Steals | 6 | 9 |
| Blocks | 4 | 10 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 21 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 11 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 54 |
| Fouls | 15 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 1 | 49 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half17-46Jackson Holcombe made Jumper.
- 2nd Half19-46Isaiah Campbell-Finch made Jumper.
- 2nd Half19-47Braden Housley made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half19-48Braden Housley made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half21-48Jaxon Pollard made Layup.
- 2nd Half21-51Tyler Hendricks made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Tyler Medaris.
- 2nd Half22-51Jaxon Pollard made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half22-53Jackson Holcombe made Layup. Assisted by Tyler Medaris.
- 2nd Half22-54Jackson Holcombe made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half22-56Jackson Holcombe made Layup.
- 2nd Half22-59Tyler Hendricks made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Joul Karram.
- 2nd Half24-59Kam Martin made Layup. Assisted by Will Shaver.
- 2nd Half25-59Kam Martin made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half27-59Will Shaver made Layup.
- 2nd Half27-61Joul Karram made Jumper. Assisted by Braden Housley.
- 2nd Half27-63Joul Karram made Jumper. Assisted by Braden Housley.
- 2nd Half29-63Kam Martin made Layup.
- 2nd Half29-66Noah Taitz made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Isaac Hawkins.
- 2nd Half32-66Judson Bjornstad made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Will Shaver.
- 2nd Half32-68Jackson Holcombe made Jumper.
- 2nd Half33-68Judson Bjornstad made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half34-68Judson Bjornstad made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half34-70Isaac Hawkins made Dunk. Assisted by Trevan Leonhardt.
- 2nd Half35-70Zion Wilburn made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half35-72Jackson Holcombe made Layup.
- 2nd Half35-74Trevan Leonhardt made Layup.
- 2nd Half35-75Trevan Leonhardt made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half35-77Noah Taitz made Dunk.
- 2nd Half35-79Sherman Weatherspoon IV made Layup. Assisted by Noah Taitz.
- 2nd Half35-80Tyler Medaris made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half38-80Cade Norris made Three Point Jumper.
- 2nd Half38-81Isaac Hawkins made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half38-82Isaac Hawkins made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half38-83Sherman Weatherspoon IV made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half38-84Sherman Weatherspoon IV made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half40-84Isaiah Campbell-Finch made Jumper.
- 2nd Half40-87AJ Riggs made Three Point Jumper.
- 2nd Half40-89Tyler Medaris made Layup.
- 2nd Half43-89Isaiah Campbell-Finch made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Caleb Harrison.
- 2nd Half45-89Caleb Harrison made Layup.
Win probability
Above the line favours Utah Valley Wolverines, below favours Samford Bulldogs.
Venue
- Hard Rock Hotel Riviera MayaCancun, Mexico
- OfficialsBret Wegenke, Freddie Williams, Chad Shepherd
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