LAS VEGAS – There were no upsets to be had on semifinal Friday at the 2026 Air Force Reserve WAC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Orleans Arena. No. 1 Utah Valley escaped with a 67-65 win over No. 4 UT Arlington and No. 2 California Baptist took care of No. 3 Utah Tech 86-72 to punch tickets to the tournament championship game.

The Wolverines and Lancers will clash on Saturday night live on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. PT. The winner of the Utah Valley and CBU title game will advance to its first NCAA Tournament at the Division I level.

No. 1 Utah Valley 67, No. 4 UT Arlington 65 (Box Score)

Top-seeded Utah Valley was in the driver’s seat with a 58-42 lead with just over nine minutes to play, but UT Arlington battled back to tie the game at 65 with less than a minute on the clock. Two Utah Valley free throws and a missed UTA 3-pointer sealed the game in the waning seconds sealed the win for the Wolverines.

Jackson Holcombe led four Utah Valley scorers in double figures with 14 points, adding four rebounds and two assists. Trevan Leonhardt scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds while registering four steals for the Wolverines.

Bahsil Laster paced all scorers in the game with 18 points for UTA, adding in six rebounds. Raysean Seamster and Tyran Mason each scored 14 points for the Mavericks.

No. 2 California Baptist 86, No. 3 Utah Tech 72 (Box Score)

It was the Dominique Daniels Jr. show early and often for California Baptist in its 2026 tournament debut, as the WAC Player of the Year poured in 15-of-23 field goals that included 4-of-7 shots from beyond the arc during a 41-point showing. Daniels added two rebounds and two steals to help lift the Lancers to the conference title game. Jayden Jackson registered 19 points, four rebounds and three assists to aid the CBU cause.

Despite playing only 28 minutes due to foul trouble, Ethan Potter shined for Utah Tech with 25 points and four rebounds on 11-of-15 shooting. Jusaun Holt chipped in 16 points and five assists in the setback for the Trailblazers.