ST. GEORGE — A Breaunna Gillen buzzer-beater jumper sealed a road victory for the Utah Tech women’s basketball team Saturday as the Trailblazers defeated New Mexico State 67-65.
Utah Tech (12-5 overall, 2-2 in Western Athletic Conference) led 19-12 after one quarter and 30-25 at halftime. The Trailblazers were up by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but the Aggies (9-9, 4-2) closed the gap to 51-46 going into the fourth, according to the UT Athletics website.
New Mexico State hit a three to make it a two-point game, and the teams traded baskets for several minutes before the Aggies tied it up 65-65 with 38 seconds to play, setting up Gillen’s heroics.
The 5-foot-9 senior guard had 19 points and three rebounds. Maggie McCord finished the night with 11 points, Amber Kartchner with 15 and Emily Isaacson with 10.
McCord and Vance led Utah Tech with nine rebounds.
Utah Tech ended the game shooting 50 percent from the field, 37 percent from the three and 50 percent from the free throw line. UT totaled 33 rebounds, 10 assists, eight steals and 21 turnovers.
New Mexico State shot 30 percent from the field, 16 percent from the three and 82 percent from the free throw line. The Aggies totaled 38 rebounds, 11 assists, 14 steals and 10 turnovers.
The Trailblazers return home to face in-state rival Southern Utah on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. in Burns Arena.
The Thunderbirds beat Utah Tech 76-61 in Cedar City Dec. 29. They have won five straight, all WAC matchups, making SUU 9-7 overall and 5-0 in the conference.