Steele lifts Utah Valley past California Baptist 64-63

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Baylee Steele recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds to lift Utah Valley to a 64-63 win over California Baptist on Saturday night.

Richard Harward made a pair of free throws to give the Wolverines the lead with 1:35 left and the Lancers missed three 3-point attempts from there.

Conner Toolson had 13 points and eight rebounds for Utah Valley (21-8, 10-4 Western Athletic Conference), which earned its fifth consecutive win. Isaiah White added 10 points.

Jake Toolson had only 7 points despite leading the Wolverines in scoring heading into the matchup with 17 points per game. He shot 20 percent from beyond the arc (1 of 5).

After heading to halftime with a 39-31 advantage, Utah Valley managed to hang on for the victory despite being outscored by 7 points in the second half. The Wolverines’ 25 second-half points marked a season low for the team.

Milan Acquaah had 21 points for the Lancers (15-13, 6-8). Jordan Heading added 19 points. Zach Pirog had 6 points and five blocks.

The Wolverines improve to 2-0 against the Lancers for the season. Utah Valley defeated California Baptist 79-62 on Jan. 30. Utah Valley faces Grand Canyon at home on Thursday. California Baptist matches up against Texas Rio Grande Valley on the road on Thursday.