Who | Utah Tech (3-1) at Lindenwood (3-3)
When | Monday, Nov. 24 – 6 p.m. MT
Where | Robert F. Hyland Arena – St. Charles, Mo.
Broadcast | ESPN+ / 99.5 The Fan Sports Network
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UniteTheFamily / #IntoTheStorm
 
Scouting the Opponent
The Lindenwood Lions, a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, are 3-3 on the season and coming off a 2-1 showing in the 2023 Air Force Classic. After falling to the host Falcons in the event's first game, LU defeated Omaha 72-20 on Nov. 17 before completing a 71-60 victory over William and Mary, shooting 10-21 from deep in that Nov. 17 victory.
 
Keenon Cole leads the team's offensive output at 17.2 points per game, with the 6-7 forward finishing in double-figures every single game this season. Darius Beane's is coming off a 25-point outing in the last game and currently sits at 12.0 per game while the team is shooting a combined 40.8% from the field this season.

Efficient
Beon Riley's strong junior season continued against Washington State on Saturday, as the 6-6 guard/forward finished with 11 points on 4-8 shooting to go with five rebounds. After appearing in 65 games at Hawaii but never starting, Riley has been among the first five out in every game this season, posting a line of 10.6 points and 5.8 rebounds across 31.8 minutes played while shooting 51.5% from the field, 57.1% from deep and 83.3% at the line.
 
Fast Start
Utah Tech got off to a quality start against the Cougars on Friday, keeping the game within two points as the likes of Tennessee Rainwater, Jaylen Searles, Unisa Turay and Aric Demings all hit shots throughout the first half that cut the deficit to a single possession, including Demings' triple that went through with 5:56 on the clock. Utah Tech was shooting well over 40% from the field at that point but Washington State would ramp up the pressure and go on a 16-0 run to close the first half.
 
Every Game
Caleb Stearman's strong junior season continued against WSU on Friday, as the Las Vegas, Nev., native finished with a team and career-high six rebounds to go with six points and one steal, shooting 2-2 from the field, 1-1 from deep and 1-1 at the line across nine minutes played. After playing in six games all of last season, the 6-7 Stearman has played in each of Utah Tech's first five games, posting averages of 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 66.7% from the field across 6.4 minutes played.
 
Extended Minutes
Unisa Turay got his first extended run of the season on Friday, leading all bench players with 17 minutes of action on his way to six points, two rebounds and two steals. A 5-10 guard from Phoenix, Ariz., Turay has scored in every appearance he's made as a Trailblazer.

Block Party
Having lost nearly 20 pounds over the offseason, Tanner Christensen's impact on the defensive end has been tremendous this season, as the 6-10 center enters Monday's game with an average of 1.8 blocks per game. He set a new career-best mark for blocks in a single game with four in a 16-point, 10-rebound effort against Youngstown State on Nov. 17.
 
Coming off the bench behind Christensen has been Hamed Olayinka, a transfer from Garden City Community College (Garden City, Kan.), who ranks second on the team with five total blocks (1.0 per game). Olayinka has recorded a block in each of his last four appearances, a tally which includes a season-high two against Jacksonville State on Nov. 11.
 
Earning Time
A redshirt freshman from West Jordan, Utah, Stone Hutchings played just over five minutes against Washington State on Friday. Having not appeared in any of the prior four games, Friday's minutes were the first in Hutchings' collegiate career. Trey Hall played in his third-straight game with over four minutes of action against the Cougars while Angelo Kambala grabbed one board in six minutes played less than one week after earning player of the game honors against Lake Erie College in his collegiate debut.
 
Coming Home
After playing each of the last five games outside the state of Utah, Monday's game marks the final contest in a six-game road stretch to begin the season, with the Trailblazers set to host in-state rivals Utah Valley at Burns Arena next Saturday. Tipoff against the Wolverines is scheduled for 7 p.m.