Utah Tech Cruises Past New Mexico State To End Losing Streak
Jan 21, 2023, 9:23 PM | Updated: Jan 23, 2023, 12:21 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Tech men’s basketball team ran past the New Mexico State Aggies to end a five-game losing streak and pick up a victory for the first time in 2023.
The Trailblazers hosted the Aggies at Burns Arena on Saturday, January 21.
Utah Tech beat New Mexico State, 89-76.
FINAL!!@UtahTechMBB 89@NMStateMBB 76
Congrats to Head Coach @JonJudkins1, who collects career win No. 600 (600-302)!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/AObUKiCmyQ— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 22, 2023
16 seconds into the contest, the Blazers found themselves down 2-0. 19 seconds later, Utah Tech’s Frank Staine sunk a jump shot to get the Trailblazers on the scoreboard.
After a scoreless couple of minutes, Noa Gonsalves drained a three-pointer to put the Blazers ahead 5-2. Three points ended up being the closest margin that the Aggies would come to tying Utah Tech.
The Blazers pushed their lead into double figures and took a 46-36 advantage into the locker room at the break.
Following halftime, Utah Tech continued to push its lead. The Trailblazers led in the second half by as many as 22 points. Utah Tech coasted down the stretch and closed out a 13-point win.
Utah Tech won the battle of rebounds, assists, and fouls against New Mexico State.
The Blazers shot 52.0 percent overall and 44.0 percent from beyond the arc. The Aggies finished the night shooting 44.3 percent from the field, including 34.8 percent from three.
Isaiah Pope to Noa Gonsalves for the quick #MACU3 #UtahTechBlazers pic.twitter.com/Gcj1ulMgsw
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 22, 2023
The Trailblazers had three players score at least 17 points. Gonsalves led the Blazers with 24 points on 7-12 shooting, including 5-9 from distance. Isaiah Pope poured in 23 points on 7-14 field goals. Cameron Gooden added 17 points off the bench to lead Utah Tech’s second unit.
Anthony Roy scored 20 points off the bench to lead New Mexico State.
With the win, the Trailblazers improved their record to 10-10 this season, including 2-5 in Western Athletic Conference action. Utah Tech is 7-2 at home this season.
CG3. #UtahTechBlazers #WAChoops #WACmbb pic.twitter.com/4gc51IFhni
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) January 22, 2023
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Utah Tech’s next contest is on the road against the Tarleton State Texans on Thursday, January 26 at 6 p.m. (MDT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.