Slow Start Dooms Utah Tech In Home Loss To Stephen F. Austin

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Tech men’s basketball team fell at home to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks after the Trailblazers struggled to get things going in the opening minutes of action.

The Blazers hosted the Lumberjacks at Burns Arena on Thursday, January 12.

Utah Tech lost to Stephen F. Austin, 85-72.

Final.#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/Ngeth0drhN

— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 13, 2023

46 seconds into the contest, Frank Staine buried a free throw to give Utah Tech a 1-0 lead. It was the only time that the Trailblazers would be ahead of the Lumberjacks.

23 seconds after Staine’s foul shot, Stephen F. Austin made a layup to go up 2-1.

The Lumberjacks didn’t look back on their way to building a 20-point advantage on the scoreboard.

Stephen F. Austin took a 44-31 lead into the locker room at the break. Following halftime, the Trailblazers held their own against the Lumberbacks but the early deficit was too much to overcome.

HAGEN FOR 3️⃣!!! Trailblazers cutting the lead down to 6!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/QE4RoIZDEs

— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 13, 2023

Three Blazers finished the game scoring in double figures. Hagen Wright led Utah Tech with 14 points on 5-7 shooting off the bench. Wright added three rebounds and shot 3-4 on three-pointers.

Dancell Leter poured in 12 points as a part of Utah Tech’s second unit. Noa Gonsalves led the Trailblazers’ starting five with 11 points, one rebound, three assists, and two steals.

(another) DANCELL AND 1️⃣!!!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/33kRl1A0ZF

— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 13, 2023

Utah Tech shot 54.8 percent overall and 39.9 percent from distance. Stephen F. Austin was 56.4 percent from the field, including 53.3 percent on three-pointers.

With the loss, the Blazers fell to a 9-8 record this season, including 1-3 in Western Athletic Conference action. Utah Tech has dropped its last three games. Prior to the losing skid, the Trailblazers were on a six-game winning streak.

Utah Tech’s next game is at home against the Sam Houston State Bearkats on Saturday, January 14 at 7 p.m. (MDT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

After losing to Stephen F. Austin, ESPN Analytics gave Utah Tech a 21.8 percent chance at taking down Sam Houston State.

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