Preview: Tarleton State at Utah Valley VINEYARD, Utah (Interstat) — The Utah Valley Wolverines, riding high in the Western Athletic Conference standings, will host the Tarleton State Texans on Thursday afternoon at the UCCU Center. Utah Valley (20-7, 8-2 WAC) enters the matchup with significant momentum, having won five of its last six games. The Wolverines are anchored by forward Jackson Holcombe, who is coming off a dominant performance with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in a road win at Texas-Arlington last Saturday. Holcombe has scored in double figures in four of his last six outings. Tarleton State (14-14, 4-6) looks to rebound from a 72-80 home loss to Utah Tech and level its season record. The Texans will lean on guard Jordan Mizell, who scored 14 points in that defeat and has been a consistent offensive presence, including an 18-point effort in an overtime win over Abilene Christian on Feb. 16. The recent series has been decidedly one-sided. Utah Valley crushed Tarleton State 83-55 in Stephenville, Texas, just four weeks ago on Jan. 29. In that game, the Wolverines held Mizell to just two assists. The Wolverines also won the previous meeting this season, 91-85 on Jan. 1. For the Texans to reverse that trend, they must improve an offense that was stifled in the last matchup and find an answer for Holcombe’s versatile inside-out game. Utah Valley boasts one of the conference’s top defenses and will aim to protect its home court as it pursues a regular-season title. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST Thursday. Utah Valley hosts Abilene Christian on Saturday, while Tarleton State travels to face California Baptist.