Utah Tech Runs Past UT Rio Grande Valley To End Four-Game Losing Streak
Feb 1, 2024, 9:28 PM | Updated: Feb 2, 2024, 10:19 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Tech men’s basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak that stretched over three weeks by defeating the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.
Utah Tech men’s basketball snaps skid
The Trailblazers hosted the Vaqueros at Burns Arena in St. George, Utah on Thursday, February 1.
Utah Tech beat UT Rio Grande Valley, 81-64.
A good day back in the Burns 🔥#UtahTechBlazers | #UniteTheFamily x #IntoTheStorm pic.twitter.com/h4noPwjBqk
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) February 2, 2024
After dropping four straight contests, the Trailblazers got things back on track at home against the Vaqueros. It was all Blazers from start to finish.
Utah Tech opened the game with a 5-0 lead in the first minute and a half and quickly built its advantage to double-digits.
UT Rio Grande Valley fought back and trimmed Utah Tech’s lead in the final portion of the first half. With 3:52 left to play until halftime, the Vaqueros managed to tie the scoreboard at 28-28. It was the only tie of the night.
The Trailblazers regained the lead and took a 36-32 advantage into the locker room.
Ended the first half with a BANG💥#UtahTechBlazers | #UniteTheFamily x #IntoTheStorm pic.twitter.com/v1QzhbtJeS
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) February 2, 2024
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After the break, Utah Tech maintained the lead throughout the entire second half. The Blazers outscored the Vaqueros by 13 points over the final 20 minutes of game time to secure the win.
Utah Tech shot 52.5 percent overall and 45.5 percent on three-pointers. UT Rio Grande Valley finished the night shooting 39.3 percent from the field, including 25.0 percent from downtown.
Five Trailblazers reached double figures in scoring.
Aric Demings and Tennessee Rainwater led Utah Tech with 12 points apiece.
💧 Smooth as Tennessee Rainwater (@TennesseeRainw2)@UtahTechMBB leads 28-23 in the first!
📺 https://t.co/YpUw2ncm9G pic.twitter.com/6x7lCUCGtR— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) February 2, 2024
CJ Booker and JJ Howard each scored 19 points for the Vaqueros.
Up next for Utah Tech men’s basketball
With the win, the Trailblazers improved to a record of 8-13 this season, including 4-6 in Western Athletic Conference games.
RELATED: WAC Releases 2023-24 League Schedule For UVU, SUU, Utah Tech MBB
Utah Tech’s next game is at home against UT Arlington on Saturday, February 3 at 3 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
