Early Deficit Dooms Utah Tech In Home Loss To Tarleton State
Feb 11, 2023, 9:47 PM | Updated: 9:47 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Tech men’s basketball team suffered a home loss to the Tarleton State Texans after the Trailblazers were unable to come back from a double-digit deficit.
The Blazers hosted the Texans at Burns Arena on Saturday, February 11.
Utah Tech lost to Tarleton, 75-71. It was Utah Tech’s second straight loss and fifth defeat since a win over New Mexico State on January 21.
Final.#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/8fVki9o3tf
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) February 12, 2023
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The Trailblazers made it a game late in the contest but a big hole earlier in the game doomed Utah Tech in the end.
10:30 minutes into the night, things were looking good for the home team as the Trailblazers owned a 21-20 lead.
However, over the final nine-plus minutes of action, the Texans outscored the Blazers by 14 points to take a 45-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.
After the break, Tarleton State built its lead up to 16 points before Utah Tech battled back. The Blazers cut the Texans’ advantage down and made it a two-possession game in the final minute but Tarleton’s first half surge proved to be too much for Utah Tech to overcome.
Utah Tech ended the game shooting 44.2 percent overall and 40.7 percent from three. Three Trailblazers scored in double figures. Dancell Leter led Utah Tech with 17 points off the bench. Jacob Nicolds and Noa Gonsalves combined to score 24 points.
DANCELL LETER FOR 3️⃣!!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/o5AlBwpTkf
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) February 12, 2023
Tarleton State shot 59.5 percent from the field, including 53.3 percent from distance. Three Texans scored 10 points or more. Freddy Hicks led Tarleton State with 21 points. Tiger Booker poured in 20 points to lead the Texans’ second unit.
With the loss, the Trailblazers fell to an 11-15 record this season, including 3-10 in Western Athletic Conference play. Utah Tech has lost 10 of its last 12 contests.
Utah Tech’s next game is on the road against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Friday, February 17 at 7 p.m. (MDT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
