ST. GEORGE — Both basketball teams at Utah Tech University still have some work to do before the Western Athletic Conference playoffs.
The Utah Tech men’s team took a step back in the conference race after a 66-65 gut-wrenching last-second loss in Burns Arena Saturday night.
Aric Demings canned a huge 3-pointer that brought the home team within one, 64-63, with 21 seconds remaining.
A steal off the inbounds pass led to a tip-in from Jaylen Searles and the Trailblazers were ahead 65-64 with six seconds on the clock.
Seattle brought the ball down the floor and launched a shot that missed, but Kobe Williamson was there for the Redhawks to slam home the rebound with one second left and provide the final margin.
Utah Tech’s Aric Demings dribbles against Seattle U. in a WAC men’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
“I’m tired of the same stuff. I’m tired of guys not rebounding, tired of missing foul shots. Those are things we have to fix,” head coach Jon Judkins told Voice of the Trailblazers Rod Zundel after the loss. “But I love the fight. I was really happy with how hard they fought.”
Utah Tech started the game firing on all cylinders, building a 14-point lead at one point in the first half. But the visitors slowly came back and took advantage of cold shooting by the Trailblazers.
A 9-for-20 performance from the free throw line and a 4-for-19 showing from beyond the 3 point arc ended up dooming the Trailblazers.
In total Utah Tech missed 11 free throws, 15 3-pointers and misfired on 30 field goals. In a one-point loss.
“It’s going to sting. It’s going to sting for quite a while,” Judkins said.
Demings led Utah Tech’s effort with 13 points off the bench. Searles also scored 13 and posted a double-double with 10 rebounds.
Tanner Christensen and Noa Gonsalves each scored 12 points for the home team but it would not be enough.
The Trailblazers slipped to 10-16 overall and are 6-9 in the WAC, good for eighth place at the moment. Teams must finish in eighth-place or better to qualify for the WAC postseason tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada in March.
Earlier Saturday afternoon, the Utah Tech women’s team was in the emerald city and fared much better against the Redhawks after Maggie McCord and Maddie Warren each scored 24 points in an 89-75 Trailblazers win.
Utah Tech improved to 9-6 in the WAC (15-11 overall) and sits in fourth place in the conference standings.
The visitors led 24-16 after one quarter and took a comfortable 47-32 advantage into halftime. The Redhawks won the second half 43-42 but it was not nearly enough to overcome their early deficit.
Photo Gallery
Utah Tech’s Tanner Christensen posts up against Seattle U. in a WAC men’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech’s Noa Gonsalves works against Seattle U. in a WAC men’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech’s Jaylen Searles dribbles between the legs against Seattle U. in a WAC men’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech’s Aric Demings dribbles against Seattle U. in a WAC men’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
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