Utah Tech’s Shooting Struggles Result In Loss To End Regular Season
Mar 3, 2023, 9:21 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Tech men’s basketball team suffered a loss in the Trailblazers’ regular season finale in a home contest against the Grand Canyon Lopes.
The Trailblazers hosted the Lopes at Burns Arena on Friday, March 3.
Utah Tech lost to GCU, 71-61.
FINAL | @GCU_MBB 71, Utah Tech 61
The Lopes win their 20th game of the season as Ray Harrison scores 25!#WAChoops pic.twitter.com/W5JMPTwizy
— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) March 4, 2023
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With 14:47 left in the first half, the Blazers and Lopes were knotted at 8-8 on the scoreboard. 27 seconds later, Chance McMillian buried a three-pointer to give Grand Canyon an 11-8 lead. The Lopes maintained a lead throughout the rest of the contest.
Later in the half, Grand Canyon stretched its lead to 17 points before taking a 33-26 lead into the locker room at halftime. Following the break, the Trailblazers cut the Lopes’ lead to four points with 14:59 to go in the game. After the scoring spurt by Utah Tech, Grand Canyon extended its lead back to double-digits and coasted down the stretch to a 10-point win.
Utah Tech ended the night shooting 37.7 percent from the field, including 4-18 for 22.2 percent from beyond the arc. Grand Canyon shot 50.0 percent overall and 34.8 percent on three-pointers.
CAM. GOODEN. 😱😱😱#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/XYepKeZwTx
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) March 4, 2023
Not only did the Trailblazers struggle to shot from the field but Utah Tech also went 17-27 or 63.0 percent from the free throw line.
Four Trailblazers scored in double figures. Cameron Gooden led the Blazers with 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Jacob Nicolds added 14 points. Frank Staine and Isaiah Pope combined for 25 points.
FRANK STEAL ➡️ BUCKET!!!#UtahTechBlazers | #WACmbb | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/nDv6qnAbv9
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) March 4, 2023
The Blazers’ bench scored four total points.
Three Lopes hit double-digits in scoring. Rayshon Harrison led Grand Canyon with a game-high 25 points.
With the loss, the Blazers finished the regular season with a 13-18 overall record, including 5-13 in Western Athletic Conference contests. The Trailblazers finished the regular season with the second-worst record in the league.
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Utah Tech’s next game will be in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
