Trending Now - California Baptist Secures NCAA Tournament Spot, Utah Valley Falls Short

WHO:

California Baptist Lancers, Utah Valley Wolverines, Rick Croy (California Baptist coach), Todd Phillips (Utah Valley coach), Dominique Daniels Jr. (California Baptist player), Isaac Davis (Utah Valley player), Trevan Leonhardt (Utah Valley player), Jackson Holcombe (Utah Valley player), Bradey Henige (California Baptist player), Jonathan Griman (California Baptist player)

WHAT:

California Baptist won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) men’s basketball championship game against Utah Valley with a score of 63-61.

Dominique Daniels Jr. scored 23 points, including two 3-pointers in the final two minutes.

Utah Valley's Isaac Davis missed a potential tying alley-oop dunk with three seconds left in the game.

California Baptist secured its first NCAA tournament appearance in program history.

California Baptist finished the season with a record of 25-8.

Utah Valley's season record is 25-8, and they had a seven-game winning streak snapped.

WHERE:

The championship game took place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

WHEN:

The championship game was held on March 14, 2026.

California Baptist transitioned from Division II to Division I in 2018 and became eligible for postseason play during the 2022-23 season.

WHY:

California Baptist's victory earned them an automatic bid into the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Utah Valley was the regular season WAC champion but faced disappointment in the championship game.

HOW:

California Baptist won the game by executing key plays, including back-to-back 3-pointers by Dominique Daniels Jr. and a crucial pull-up 3-pointer with 14.6 seconds remaining.

Utah Valley attempted a play involving an alley-oop dunk in the final seconds but failed to convert.

(UPDATED March 15, 2026 19:07 UTC)

In a thrilling finish at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas last Monday, California Baptist clinched the Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball championship, defeating Utah Valley 63 to 61 and securing their first NCAA tournament appearance in program history. Dominique Daniels Jr. led the charge for California Baptist with 23 points, including two critical 3-pointers in the final moments, while Utah Valley's Isaac Davis missed a potential tying alley-oop dunk with just three seconds left on the clock. Both teams ended the season with impressive records of 25-8, but it was California Baptist's victory that earned them an automatic bid into the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.