ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech’s women’s basketball team scorched visiting Tarleton State 70-44 Thursday night at Burns Arena, picking up its fifth win (5-3) in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Trailblazers chucked the rock from 3-point land early and often, blitzing the Texans 21-10 in the first quarter and taking an insurmountable 41-23 lead by halftime.
According to a press release, five 3-pointers in the first quarter alone set the tone for Utah Tech’s hot shooting night.
Junior Emily Isaacson led the way in the Trailblazer barrage. She shot 6-of-9 from 3-point land and posted 22 points to lead all scorers in the contest.
Senior Maggie McCord was almost as good for Utah Tech, making 4-of-6 3’s and scoring 14 points.
Junior Brooke Vance recorded a double-double with her 14 points (including two 3-pointers) and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Breaunna Gillen, Amber Kartchner and Taylia Simpson each shot a single 3-pointer to complete Utah Tech’s long-distance attack.
Utah Tech moved to 13-6 overall after the win and hosts Seattle University in a WAC matchup at Burns Arena Saturday at 2 p.m.
Men lose in a gut-wrencher
Meanwhile the Utah Tech men’s team was in Stephenville, Texas, Thursday night in a WAC game against those same Tarleton State Texans.
According to a press release, Utah Tech launched a furious second-half rally that fell just short and Tarleton State held on to win 74-72.
Isaiah Pope scored a career-best 27 points to lead the Trailblazers, including 19 in the second-half rally. But it would not be enough for Utah Tech, which held its only lead of the night at 10-8 four minutes into the contest.
The Trailblazers then suffered through a frigid 10-plus minutes without a field goal. They committed eight of their 11 first-half turnovers during that stretch and the Texans led for good 35-19 with 6:25 left to play in the first half.
Utah Tech clawed back into it, but Tarleton’s Tiger Booker sank a free throw to make it 74-69 with seconds remaining.
Pope’s half-court heave at the buzzer was true, providing the final margin in the two-point defeat.
Utah Tech saw its overall record fall to 10-11, including a 2-6 mark in WAC play.
The Trailblazers continue their swing through Texas with a WAC game at Abilene Christian Saturday at 5 p.m. (MT). Go to The Fan Sports Network for live broadcast of the game with Voice of the Trailblazers Rod Zundel.
Photo Gallery
Utah Tech's Breaunna Gillen (20) shoots a hoop against Tarleton State in a WAC women's basketball game, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech's Amber Kartchner (3) dribbles through Tarleton State defenders in a WAC women's basketball game, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech's Breaunna Gillen (20) looks to pass against Tarleton State in a WAC women's basketball game, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech's Maggie McCord (15) passes against Tarleton State in a WAC women's basketball game, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.