Utah Tech Blows Out Lindenwood Behind Isaiah Pope’s Big Game
Dec 22, 2022, 4:48 PM
Utah Tech guard Isaiah Pope (Courtesy of Stan Plewe / Utah Tech Athletics)
(Courtesy of Stan Plewe / Utah Tech Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Tech men’s basketball team took down the Lindenwood Lions behind a big performance by Trailblazers guard Isaiah Pope.
The Blazers hosted the Lions at Burns Arena in St. George on Thursday, December 22.
Utah Tech beat Lindenwood, 95-64.
FINAL! Isaiah Pope pours in a career-high 25 points as Trailblazers (8-5) extend their win streak to five-straight!
Utah Tech will open #WACmbb play at home next Thursday night vs. @UTRGVmbb!#UtahTechBlazers | #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/hVWi0pD6cB— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) December 22, 2022
Pope led the Trailblazers with a game-high 25 points.
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It was a close contest for the first five minutes of afternoon action between the Lions and Trailblazers. After that Utah Tech torched Lindenwood for the rest of the opening half.
The scoreboard was knotted at 5-5 before Noa Gonsalves connected on a three-pointer to put Utah Tech up at the 15:59 mark of the first half. The triple started a big run by the Blazers, who took a 52-24 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Over the final 20 minutes of game time, the action was more tightly contested and the Blazers only won the second half by three points.
However, the large lead was too great of a margin for the Lions to overcome after the break.
The Trailblazers finished the matinee shooting 52.4 percent from the floor, including 14-28 for 50 percent from beyond the arc. Lindenwood shot 35.6 percent overall and 34.6 percent from three.
Just in case you missed them live 🤯 #UtahTechBlazers pic.twitter.com/4H8uUyRSEC
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) December 22, 2022
Utah Tech once owned a 44-point lead and held other advantages throughout the game. The Blazers outdid the Lions in rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, and turnovers.
Pope’s 25 points came on 8-13 field goals, 4-7 on three-pointers, and 5-6 shooting at the free throw line. He added three rebounds, five assists, and a steal in 27 minutes on the court.
The guard was one of four Trailblazers to reach double figures in scoring. Gonsavles poured in 19 points and Cameron Gooden added 13 points. Frank Staine scored 10 points off the bench.
Noa Gonsalves spots up from the right wing for his second #MACU 3-pointer in the early going!#UtahTechBlazers | #WAChoops | #WACmbb pic.twitter.com/2zjO1vB6yj
— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) December 22, 2022
With the win, the Trailblazers improved their record to 8-5 this season.
RELATED: Utah Tech Men’s Basketball Torches Westmont For Fourth Straight Win
Utah Tech’s next game is at home against the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Thursday, December 29 at 7 p.m. (MDT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
