ST. GEORGE, Utah (Interstat) — A pivotal Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball regular-season finale is set for Saturday when Utah Valley visits Utah Tech at Burns Arena.

The matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions entering March. The Utah Valley Wolverines (22-7, 13-3 WAC) have won five straight and eight of their last nine, positioning themselves near the top of the conference standings. The Utah Tech Trailblazers (18-13, 9-7), meanwhile, have dropped three of their last five, including an 81-67 loss at Southern Utah last Saturday.

This game is a rematch of a Feb. 12 thriller in St. George, where the Trailblazers held off the Wolverines 81-77. Utah Valley won the first meeting this season, 92-76, on Jan. 10 in Orem.

Utah Valley is led by guard Trevan Leonhardt, who is playing his best basketball of the season. Over his last seven games, he is averaging 13.1 points and 5.9 assists per contest. In the first matchup at Utah Tech, he posted 15 points and six assists in 38 minutes. In last Saturday’s win over Abilene Christian, Leonhardt scored 16 points and dished seven assists.

Utah Tech will counter with guard Jusaun Holt, who is coming off a career-high 28-point performance in the loss to Southern Utah. Holt was instrumental in the Trailblazers’ February win over the Wolverines, scoring 13 points. Over his last six games, he is averaging 15.2 points.

A key for Utah Tech will be slowing a Utah Valley offense that has scored 74 or more points in four of its last five games. The Wolverines’ defense has also been stifling, holding opponents to 67 points or fewer in four games during their current win streak.

For the Trailblazers, protecting their home court is essential for seeding in the upcoming WAC tournament. A win would secure a winning conference record and provide momentum. Utah Valley is playing for a potential regular-season championship and the top seed in Las Vegas.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST Saturday at Burns Arena.