Despite a furious second half rally, Utah Tech saw its six-game win streak halted in a 71-60 "Old Hammer Rivalry" road loss at Utah Valley on Saturday afternoon at the UCCU Center.

How it happened 
Utah Valley (11-4/2-0 WAC) used a 17-7 run to turn a slim 8-7 lead into a 25-14 advantage as the Wolverines hit three of their six 3-pointers in the period during that stretch.

The Trailblazers (9-6/1-1 WAC) halted the run with a Hagen Wright back-door jam and free throw, which sparked a 6-0 spurt that cut the deficit to 25-20. 

UVU answered with eight-straight points as part of an 11-2 rally to extend to its biggest lead of the day at 36-22 with 5:40 remaining, and would enjoy a 44-33 cushion at the halftime break. 
 
Utah Tech struggled from the floor in the period, hitting on just 9-of-25 (.360) of its attempts (1-5 3FG). However the Blazers managed to go to the foul line 20 times (14-of-20; .700) in the opening 20 minutes, which helped them stay within striking distance.
 
The Trailblazers opened the second half with an 11-4 run, thanks to six Isaiah Pope points and a Frank Staine 3-pointer from the left wing that made it a two-possession game at 48-44 with 14:09 to play.
 
UVU guard Le'Tre Darthard countered with five-straight points of his own to push the Wolverine lead back to nine at 53-44.
 
Trailing 56-47, Utah Tech mounted one last charge, outscoring UVU 10-2 to pull to within one point at 58-57 following two Dancell Leter free throws with 6:06 to play. Noa Gonsalves kicked started the rally with a jumper and a 3-pointer, while Jacob Nicolds added a lefthanded lay-in before the Leter free throws.  
 
Utah Tech's defense then stepped up with a pair of big stops, while the offense had chances to take the lead on its next two ensuing possessions, but came up empty. 
 
UVU guard Tahj Small knocked down a jumper with 4:21 to go, which was followed by a Staine bucket with 3:55 on the clock to again pull his side to within a point at 60-59.
 
However that would be the final field goal the Blazers would hit as Darthard nailed a dagger 3-pointer on the Wolverines' next trip down the court. UVU would go on to score 11 of the game's final 12 points to escape with the home victory. 
 
Numbers to know
Pope led Utah Tech with 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting to go with four assists. Pope ran the point on Saturday in place of senior guard Cameron Gooden, who missed his first start in two-plus seasons as a Trailblazer due to an injury suffered in UT's home win vs. UTRGV on Thursday night. 
 
Nicolds added 12 points on 4-of-9 from the floor and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Leter chipped eight points and five boards off the bench, while Staine and Gonsalves finished with seven points apiece. 
 
Utah Tech was held to 35.8 percent (19-of-53) shooting on the afternoon, which included a 21.4 percent clip (.214) from the perimeter. 
 
After going to the line 20 times in the first half, the Blazers only went the charity stripe eight times in the second half and wound up 19-of-28 (.679) at the line overall. Utah Tech did manage to outrebound UVU 38-34.
 
Trey Woodbury led all scorers with 20 points, thanks to 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while Darthard finished with 18 points. 
 
Utah Valley shot 46.4 percent (26-of-56) from the floor and was 8-of-23 (.348) from the perimeter.  
 
Up next
Utah Tech continues WAC play this upcoming Thursday, Jan. 5, with a road date at California Baptist. Tip-off inside the CBU Events Center in Riverside is set for 7 p.m. (PT).