ST. GEORGE — Fresh off a 78-71 win over regional and conference rival Southern Utah, the Utah Tech women’s basketball team will enjoy the comforts of Burns Arena in the second of four consecutive home games for the Trailblazers.
The “Old Hammer Rivalry” series with Utah Valley will take place Saturday in St. George, according to a Utah Tech news release. This will mark the Trailblazers’ fourth game against an in-state foe this season and the second versus the Wolverines.
Utah Tech opened Western Athletic Conference play with a 73-59 road win at UVU on Dec. 2 before dropping a 77-67 home decision to Weber State one week later.
Thanks to Thursday night’s victory over the Thunderbirds, Utah Tech improved to 10-18 against its fellow Beehive State opponents in the program’s NCAA era, including an 8-8 mark in in-state rivalry games during their current Division I transition, the news release said.
Tip-off inside the Burns Arena is set for 2 p.m., and Saturday’s game will be streamed live on ESPN+. For live streaming and live scoring information, visit UtahTechTrailblazers.com.
Utah Tech’s Beon Riley, here against Utah Valley earlier this year, will lead the Trailblazers against UVU again this Saturday, Orem, Utah, Jan. 20, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Men look to bounce back
Utah Tech’s men will try to get back on track after a disappointing 75-65 loss to rival Southern Utah in Cedar City on Thursday night. The Trailblazers men’s team will visit Orem for a 2 p.m. tipoff Saturday against the Utah Valley Wolverines.
This will be the second time these WAC rivals will meet this year. Utah Tech (7-10 overall, 3-3 WAC) handled the Wolverines 65-53 in their first matchup Dec. 2 in Burns Arena in St. George.
Noa Gonsalves led the way in that Trailblazers win with 18 points. Beon Riley dropped a double-double (17 points, 13 rebounds) and Tanner Christensen scored 10 in the victory.
Utah Valley (8-10, 3-4) comes into the game on a three-game losing skid. Drake Allen is their leading scorer at 12.1 points per game with Caleb Stone-Carrawell right behind at 11.7 ppg.
Utah State transfer Trevin Dorius blocks 1.4 shots per contest and leads the Wolverines in rebounding with 7.6 boards per game.
The Utah Tech women’s swimming and diving team hosts Idaho on Saturday morning and will celebrate Senior Day, Jan. 19, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Tech Athletics, St. George News
Swim teams hosts Vandals
After more than two months since its last competitive meet, Utah Tech returns to action this Saturday morning when the Trailblazers welcome fellow WAC member Idaho to the UT HPC Pool. The first event of the two-team dual will get off the blocks at 10 a.m.
Saturday’s meet will also serve as Senior Day for three Trailblazers – Danyael Cuison, Skyler Lyon and Eleonore Rembert.
Utah Tech alumnus Shawn King was named the fourth head coach for the Utah Tech women’s swimming program Aug. 19, 2023.
King, who also served as an assistant coach with the Trailblazer program during the 2020-21 season, arrived back at his alma mater after spending the past two years as an assistant men’s and women’s swim coach at Brigham Young. While with the Cougars’ program, he served as the distance coach and the men’s team recruiting coordinator.
Saturday’s swim meet can be viewed via Utah Tech’s streaming service. Click here to access.
The Utah Tech women’s tennis team opens its season Friday at Utah and plays against Saturday against Montana State, Jan. 19, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Tech Athletics, St. George News
Women’s tennis opens season
The Trailblazer women’s tennis team opens the 2024 season this weekend traveling to Utah for a pair of matches, taking on the Utes on Friday and Montana State on Saturday.
The Utes open the season this weekend against the Trailblazers, Bobcats and Idaho State while coming off a 13-11 overall record in 2023 and a 4-6 mark in the Pac-12.
Utah went 8-1 at home last season with its lone setback coming against Stanford. The Utes, who topped the Trailblazers, 5-0, in St. George last season, are led by fifth-year head coach Ric Mortera.
The Bobcats opened the 2024 season at home last weekend with a pair of wins over North Dakota (4-3) and Seattle (5-2).
Montana State is coming off a 5-13 campaign in 2023 with a 2-6 record in the Big Sky. This will be Utah Tech’s first meeting against the Bobcats who are led by second-year head coach Suzie Woodburn.