STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The Utah Tech Trailblazers travelled to the Wisdom Gymnasium to take on the Tarleton State Texans on Thursday.
The Trailblazers are coming off of a much needed home win against the New Mexico State Aggies, 89-76. The Texans last game was a blowout loss to the California Baptist Lancers, 77-48.
Sitting at 8th and 9th place in the Western Athletic Conference, the matchup could end up being important for seeding down the road.
The game was close early on. Many of the early points came off of hustle plays on defense and the offensive glass.
Cameron Gooden hit a 3-pointer to get the Trailblazers on the board.
Texas native Cameron Gooden gets the Blazers on the board with a #MACU 3-pointer from the right wing!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/wH4oCAQQfa
— Utah Tech Men’s Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 27, 2023
Utah Tech took their first lead of the game after 4 minutes, 10-8.
The Texans answered with an 13-2 run to take the lead right back.
It’s good to see @FreddyHicks7 driving to the bucket again 😍 pic.twitter.com/YhIcqvwEUn
— Tarleton Men’s Basketball (@TarletonMBB) January 27, 2023
The run took place due to a scoring drought by the Trailblazers, 11 minutes without a field goal. They were able to score regardless, 12 of Utah Tech’s first 19-points were free throws.
Isaiah Pope broke the cold-streak for Utah Tech by nailing a wing 3-pointer.
Isaiah Pope stops a long field goal drought with a #MACU 3-pointer!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/nfsCCzUIoU
— Utah Tech Men’s Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 27, 2023
Tarleton’s aggressive defense and fast-paced offense stunned the Trailblazers. Utah Tech shot 23% from the field and made 14 less field goals than the Texans in the first half.
UTU was down big at the half, 50-28.
Halftime in Stephenville.#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/Dy2nDzGL6U
— Utah Tech Men’s Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 27, 2023
Utah Tech dropped the lead to 14 in the early minutes of the second half.
Tanner Christensen with the steal, outlet to Cameron Gooden, and a big transition #MACU corner 3-pointer from Isaiah Pope!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/guNvBWGyt0
— Utah Tech Men’s Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 27, 2023
The Trailblazers settled in and took back some momentum. They dropped the lead to 11 after a big three.
With 11 minutes left in the game, the Trailblazers dropped the lead to single-digits for the first time in 20 minutes of play.
Frank Staine with the drive and the leaner! He later hit the AND ONE free throw to draw the Blazers to within 10!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/vacgJizD9f
— Utah Tech Men’s Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 27, 2023
The two teams traded baskets down the stretch.
Once Tarleton regained a 10-point lead, they held it for multiple minutes.
Zooming through the lane is @Tiger3_mvp to extend the lead back to double figures 🐅 pic.twitter.com/6DB1Rt3zc4
— Tarleton Men’s Basketball (@TarletonMBB) January 27, 2023
With 1:40 left in the game, Utah Tech dropped the lead down to 7 after a steal led to a fastbreak dunk.
Trailblazers with the pressure defense, which leads to a Noa Gonsalves 2-handed jam to pull the Blazers to within 7 late at Tarleton!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/Yeu5CFGU4z
— Utah Tech Men’s Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 27, 2023
Tarleton ran the clock down to :44 before making a floater to extend the lead to 9.
The Trailblazers drained a three to make the score 73-67 with 30 seconds remaining.
Isaiah Pope with the long range #MACU 3-ball to make it a 2-possession game!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/fJBwJFtgZ9
— Utah Tech Men’s Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 27, 2023
UTU got the ball back and dropped the lead to 2. But, there wasn’t enough time left on the clock.
Trailblazers lose to the Texans, 74-72.
Final from Stephenville.
Furious second half Trailblazer rally comes up just short.
Isaiah Pope led all scorers with a career-high 27 points, including 19 in the second half.
UT (10-11/2-6 WAC) plays at @ACU_MBB on Saturday. #UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/Zw5CvT8n2F
— Utah Tech Men’s Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 27, 2023
Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.
