Box Score (Pullman, Wash. – Nov. 24, 2023) Utah Tech men's basketball played Friday afternoon, taking on Pac-12 foe Washington State in a game that finished 93-53 in favor of the hosts. Utah Tech's record is now 2-3 with a Monday matchup against Lindenwood scheduled to top off at 6 p.m. MT.
 
"The first 12 minutes we did exactly what we wanted to, defensively we were in them, but they went on a run," Head Coach Jon Judkins said. "The possessions we had right before half were bad offensively, bad shot selection and we just tried to do too much which opened the gates. Give them credit though, they're a really good team... just a frustrating day but we'll regroup."
 
The hosts would win the game's opening tip off but Beon Riley opened the game's scoring with a pull-up jumper, setting the stage for a back-and-forth affair. Though WSU opened a quick eight point lead with 17:07 to go the Trailblazers would not go down easily, chipping away at the deficit and bringing the game within a single possession on multiple occasions throughout the opening period.
 
A Tennessee Rainwater mid-range jumper cut the deficit down to three with 12:46, and a Jaylen Searles triple at the 11:17 mark brought the deficit down to just two points. Unisa Turay brought the Trailblazers within a single point of the Cougars when he sank a triple with 9:32 to go and another Aric Demings triple at the 5:56 mark once again cut the deficit to just two points.
 
Despite the opportunities to strike, Utah Tech struggled to gain the lead before Washington State ended the half on a 16-0 run to take a 45-27 advantage into the break.
 
That Cougar momentum continued into the early parts of the second half, continuing to grow the lead with physical defense and triples. Unisa Turay, Beon Riley and Caleb Stearman all completed and-ones in the middle portion of the period but the Cougar offense continued to cruise as the game went final in favor of Washington State.
 
Gonsalves scored 11 points on 3-8 shooting, hitting 2-5 from deep and 3-4 at the line while adding three rebounds and one steal. Riley's 11 points tied with Gonsalves for the team-lead as the Chula Vista, Calif., native shot 4-8 from the field while adding five rebounds. Aric Demings added nine points and two assists while Tanner Christensen finished with five points, four rebounds and two blocks.
 
Caleb Stearman contributed six points, six rebounds and one steal while Unisa Turay scored six points while adding two rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes of action.

Trailblazer men's basketball returns to action on Monday, facing Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. Tipoff against the Lions is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT.