Who | Utah Tech (2-2) at Washington State (3-1)
When | Friday, Nov. 24 – 2 p.m. MT
Where | Beasley Coliseum – Pullman, Wash.
Broadcast | Pac-12 Network / 99.5 The Fan Sports Network
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UniteTheFamily / #IntoTheStorm
 
Scouting the Opponent
Washington State enters this contest with a 3-1 record, most recently defeating Rhode Island 78-57 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off in Uncasville, Conn. The Cougars' roster is one that is full of height, as 12 of the team's 18 players are listed at 6-6 or above, including Rueben Chinyelu and Oscar Cluff who are both listed at 6-11.
 
With this size the team boasts a field goal percentage of .500 from the field, out-scoring opponents by 13 points per game while holding other teams to 38.8% from the field and 23% from deep. Isaac Jones leads the team in scoring at 15.5 per game and is joined by Myles Rice (14.3) and Andrej Jakimovski (11.8) in the double-digit club while Oscar Cluff (9.5) is close behind; Jones' 7.5 rebounds per game also leads the team.
 
Finding His Rhythm
Noa Gonsalves had his best game of the young season on Saturday against Youngstown, leading the team in scoring with 17 points on 7-11 shooting from the field and 3-7 from deep. The Lehi, Utah, native is now shooting 42.9% from the field this season on his way to averages of 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
 
Unstoppable
Tanner Christensen has been a focal point of the Trailblazer offense this year, as the 6-10 forward ranks second on the team in scoring at 14.3 per game while shooting a team-high 62.5% from the field. After scoring 26 against Jacksonville State on Nov. 11, Christensen recorded his first double-double of the season against Youngstown State on Saturday, pairing 16 points with 10 boards while blocking a career-high four shots; he nearly completed a second-consecutive double-double against Lake Erie on Saturday, finishing with nine points and nine rebounds.
 
Catching Fire
Jaylen Searles was another Trailblazer who found an offensive rhythm over the weekend and that started in Friday's game at Youngstown State. Against the Penguins, the Everett, Wash., native scored eight-straight Trailblazer points early in the second half, finishing with 12 in the game. He followed it up with his best performance of the season against Lake Erie, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in a road victory over the Storm, shooting 8-14 from the field and 3-4 from deep. Searles is now averaging 10.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
 
Rotation Minutes
Utah Tech leaned into its reserves to earn that 81-69 victory over Lake Erie, with six different players earning time off the bench. Caleb Stearman posted a career-high six points to go with three rebounds in the win, while Unisa Turay (four points and two steals), Hamed Olayinka (three rebounds, one block) and Tennessee Rainwater (one point, one assist) all played, while Trey Hall earned playing time in both games over the weekend.
 
Spark Plug
The leading reserve minute-getter against Lake Erie College was Angelo Kambala, who was named Player of the Game by Head Coach Jon Judkins after the contest concluded. Across nine minutes played the Las Vegas, Nev., native posted a line of four points and one assist, hitting both of his free throws.
 
"We gave him the player of the game because he came in and gave us a spark, knew his stuff and I thought he played really well. He gave us some good minutes," Judkins said.
 
Make Your Free Throws
Having entered the game shooting 66.7% on free throws this season, Utah Tech had its best game of the season at the line against Lake Erie, setting season-best marks for makes (22), attempts (26), and percentage (84.6). Beon Riley used a perfect 8-8 effort from the line to fuel his 19-point, five-rebound effort while Stearman (4-4), Aric Demings (3-4), Gonsalves (2-2) and Kambala (2-2) all finished with multiple makes in the game.
 
Second Half
The Trailblazer offense came alive in the second half of Friday's game against Youngstown State. After shooting just 31% from the field and 16% from the field in the first 20 minutes, Utah Tech converted at a 48.5% clip from the field and perfect 50% from deep during the second period of play. With 157 of 299 total points this season coming in the second half or overtime, 55.9% of the team's points have come after halftime.
 
What's Next:
After playing the Cougars on Friday, UT heads back to the Midwest for the final time this season, facing Lindenwood on Monday. Tipoff in St. Charles, Mo., is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT.