ST. GEORGE — The dual basketball matchups between the Trailblazers and Lancers went to the road teams.
Utah Tech’s all-time leading scorer Breaunna Gillen works against Cal Baptist in a WAC women’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Dec. 6, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
In St. George Wednesday night at Burns Arena, Utah Tech senior Breaunna Gillen lost the battle but won the war as she became the program’s all-time leading scorer in a 78-69 loss to Cal Baptist.
The early race in the Western Athletic Conference saw the Lancers gain a game on Utah Tech as Cal Baptist improved to 2-0 and remained unbeaten overall at 7-0.
Meanwhile Utah Tech dropped to 1-1 in conference and 5-3 overall.
Gillen’s 3-pointer early in the third quarter gave the senior from West Jordan (Copper Hills High School) 1,213 points, breaking Johnna Brown’s career scoring record at Utah Tech.
Utah Tech took a 16-11 lead after the first quarter, but Cal Baptist roared back to take the second quarter 28-15 for an eight-point lead at halftime and the Lancers never let go of the lead.
Macie Warren fueled a mighty comeback for the home team, sinking five 3-pointers and finishing with 26 points to pace the Trailblazers.
But WAC leading-scorer Chloe Webb countered with 22 points to lead the Lancers to the win.
Gillen finished with 16 for Utah Tech and Maddie Warren contributed 10 points to the cause.
The women stay home and next play Saturday at Burns Arena at 2 p.m. against non-conference rival Weber State.
About an hour after the women’s game ended Wednesday night, Utah Tech’s men’s squad held on to beat Cal Baptist 72-69 in Riverside, California.
Utah Tech’s Larry Olayinka dunks on Cal Baptist in a WAC basketball game, Riverside, California, Dec. 6, 2023 | Photo by Ava Nash, Utah Tech Athletics Media Relations, St. George News
The Trailblazers are off to a 2-0 start in WAC play and moved to 5-3 overall. Cal Baptist dropped to 1-1 in conference and is 6-2 overall.
The young Trailblazers survived a physical defense by the Lancers and won despite Cal Baptist’s 27-10 advantage in free throw attempts.
Beon Riley continued his hot start for Utah Tech, pouring in 21 points with two 3-pointers to pace the winners.
Jaylen Searles had his second strong game in a row, netting 15 points to go along with his seven rebounds.
New Trailblazers Unisa Turay and Larry Olayinka each scored 11 points, highlighted by a couple of thunderous dunks by Olayinka.
Dominique Daniels Jr. led all scorers in the contest with 30 points for Cal Baptist in the losing effort.
Utah Tech was outrebounded 33-29 and was whistled for 22 personal fouls. The Trailblazers also committed 19 turnovers.
And still won.
The Trailblazers return home to St. George and face non-conference Idaho on Saturday night in Burns Arena at 7 p.m.
Photo Gallery
Utah Tech’s Larry Olayinka dunks on Cal Baptist in a WAC basketball game, Riverside, California, Dec. 6, 2023 | Photo by Ava Nash, Utah Tech Athletics Media Relations, St. George News
Utah Tech’s Maggie McCord works against Cal Baptist in a WAC women’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Dec. 6, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech’s Catelyn Dever rebounds against Cal Baptist in a WAC women’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Dec. 6, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech’s Maddie Warren passes against Cal Baptist in a WAC women’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Dec. 6, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech’s all-time leading scorer Breaunna Gillen works against Cal Baptist in a WAC women’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Dec. 6, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech’s Macie Warren works against Cal Baptist in a WAC women’s basketball game, St. George, Utah, Dec. 6, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
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