Utah Valley Defeats Southern Utah 89-72 in Home Matchup
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · UCCU Center
Utah Valley Wolverines 89, Southern Utah Thunderbirds 72, 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 Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs Utah Valley Wolverines?
Utah Valley Wolverines beat Southern Utah Thunderbirds 89-72 at UCCU Center on January 8, 2026.
Who was favored in Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs Utah Valley Wolverines?
Utah Valley Wolverines were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -2800 (about 97% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup at the UCCU Center, the Utah Valley Wolverines secured a comfortable 89-72 victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. This win reinforces Utah Valley's strong home record, now standing at 7-0 this season. The Wolverines have shown impressive form lately, boasting an 8-2 record over their last ten games, despite a recent loss to the Abilene Christian Wildcats. They averaged 80.9 points scored and 67.3 points allowed during this stretch, indicating a solid offensive and defensive performance.
Southern Utah, on the other hand, has struggled significantly, now on a five-game losing streak. Their overall record stands at 4-12, with a particularly poor away record of 1-6. Over their last ten games, they have managed only three wins, averaging 76.4 points scored but allowing 77.1 points, which highlights their defensive vulnerabilities.
The two teams have met previously this season, with Utah Valley winning both encounters. In their last meeting on March 1, 2025, Utah Valley dominated with a score of 100-59. The Wolverines also won the earlier matchup 70-68 on February 16, 2025, showcasing their consistent superiority over Southern Utah.
In terms of betting, DraftKings set the spread at -18.5 in favor of Utah Valley, reflecting the Wolverines' strong home performance and Southern Utah's struggles. The total for the game was listed at 154.5, with both the over and under priced at -110. The moneyline odds were heavily in favor of Utah Valley at -2800, while Southern Utah was at +1300, illustrating the market's expectations for this contest.
The game conditions were typical for January, with players needing to adapt to the indoor environment of the UCCU Center. Viewers were treated to a showcase of talent, particularly from Utah Valley's Jackson Holcombe and AJ Riggs, who made significant contributions in the second half. Holcombe's free throws and Riggs's three-point jumper were pivotal moments that helped extend Utah Valley's lead.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two programs, with Utah Valley continuing to assert itself as a formidable force in the league while Southern Utah seeks to reverse its downward trend.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UVU -18.5 | 154.5 o -110 / u -110 | Southern Utah Thunderbirds +1300 · Utah Valley Wolverines -2800 |
Leaders
- PointsJackson Holcombe23Utah Valley Wolverines
- AssistsBraden Housley6Utah Valley Wolverines
- ReboundsJackson Holcombe9Utah Valley Wolverines
- PointsJalen Lee15Southern Utah Thunderbirds
- AssistsJaiden Feroah5Southern Utah Thunderbirds
- ReboundsJaiden Feroah6Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Recent form
Utah Valley Wolverines
Last 10: 8-2Streak L180.9 scored · 67.3 allowed per game6-0 at home
- L68-85at Abilene Christian WildcatsJan 3
- W91-85at Tarleton State TexansJan 2
- W73-66vs California Baptist LancersDec 30
- W109-48vs Bethesda FlamesDec 20
- W90-74vs Weber State WildcatsDec 18
- W68-53vs UC Santa Barbara GauchosDec 13
- W73-69vs Idaho State BengalsDec 11
- W82-71at Bowling Green FalconsDec 6
- L66-77at San Diego State AztecsDec 4
- W89-45vs Samford BulldogsNov 26
Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Last 10: 3-7Streak L576.4 scored · 77.1 allowed per game1-6 away
- L77-86vs UT Arlington MavericksJan 4
- L66-80at Utah Tech TrailblazersDec 30
- L57-65at Northern Arizona LumberjacksDec 19
- L69-105at Washington HuskiesDec 13
- L70-81at Oregon State BeaversDec 6
- W124-59vs West Coast Baptist EaglesDec 2
- W70-68at Stetson HattersNov 29
- L54-61at Robert Morris ColonialsNov 28
- W103-68vs Nobel KnightsNov 23
- L74-98at Washington State CougarsNov 20
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State | 20-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Montana State | 18-14 | 1 | 12-6 |
| Eastern Washington | 14-19 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Northern Colorado | 20-12 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Montana | 18-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Weber State | 16-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Idaho | 21-15 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Sacramento State | 10-21 | 8 | 6-12 |
| Idaho State | 13-20 | 8 | 5-13 |
| Northern Arizona | 10-22 | 9 | 4-14 |
| 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 | Southern Utah Thunderbirds | Utah Valley Wolverines |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-60 | 36-66 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 55 |
| Three-pointers | 11-23 | 7-17 |
| Three-point % | 48 | 41 |
| Free throws | 11-19 | 10-16 |
| Free throw % | 58 | 63 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 45 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 16 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 29 |
| Assists | 18 | 25 |
| Steals | 8 | 7 |
| Blocks | 1 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 15 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 15 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 56 |
| Fouls | 16 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 0 | 21 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 0 | 98 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half39-46Jackson Holcombe makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half39-48Isaac Davis makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half41-48Jaiden Feroah makes layup (Elijah Duval assists)
- 2nd Half41-49Jackson Holcombe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half41-51Jackson Holcombe makes 6-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half42-51Elijah Duval makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-54Noah Taitz makes 24-foot three point jumper (Isaac Davis assists)
- 2nd Half44-54Dylan Jones makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-56Jackson Holcombe makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-59Tyler Hendricks makes 24-foot three point jumper (Trevan Leonhardt assists)
- 2nd Half45-59Kai Burdick makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-61Tyler Hendricks makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half46-61Elijah Duval makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half46-63Hayden Welling makes 6-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half46-65Isaac Hawkins makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Braden Housley assists)
- 2nd Half48-65Elijah Duval makes layup (Jaiden Feroah assists)
- 2nd Half48-67Noah Taitz makes driving layup
- 2nd Half50-67Isaiah Cottrell makes 3-foot dunk (Jaiden Feroah assists)
- 2nd Half50-69Jackson Holcombe makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-69Elijah Duval makes 22-foot three point jumper (Kai Burdick assists)
- 2nd Half54-69Kai Burdick makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-70Noah Taitz makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-70Jaiden Feroah makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kai Burdick assists)
- 2nd Half57-73Trevan Leonhardt makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jackson Holcombe assists)
- 2nd Half57-76Noah Taitz makes 22-foot three point jumper (Hayden Welling assists)
- 2nd Half59-76Jaiden Feroah makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half59-78Braden Housley makes layup (Tyler Hendricks assists)
- 2nd Half59-80Isaac Davis makes 3-foot dunk (Braden Housley assists)
- 2nd Half62-80Jaiden Feroah makes 23-foot three point jumper (Elijah Duval assists)
- 2nd Half64-80Jaiden Feroah makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half65-80Dylan Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-80Dylan Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-82Isaac Hawkins makes driving layup (Jackson Holcombe assists)
- 2nd Half66-83Jackson Holcombe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-84Jackson Holcombe makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-84Elijah Duval makes 24-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half69-87AJ Riggs makes 24-foot three point jumper (Tyler Medaris assists)
- 2nd Half69-89AJ Riggs makes layup (Braden Housley assists)
- 2nd Half70-89Jalen Lee makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-89Cale Barclay makes 9-foot hook shot (Zeplin Kidd assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Utah Valley Wolverines, below favours Southern Utah Thunderbirds.
Venue
- UCCU CenterOrem, UT
- Attendance1872
- OfficialsTrent Lovewell, Ryan Holmes, D.G. Nelson
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond