Who | Utah Tech (7-12, 3-5 WAC) at Tarleton State (12-7, 5-3 WAC)
When | Saturday, Jan. 27 / 3 p.m. MT
Where | Wisdom Gym / Stephenville, Texas
Broadcast | ESPN+ / 99.5 The Fan Sports Network
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UniteTheFamily / #IntoTheStorm
 
Scouting the Texans
Entering Thursday's game at 12-7 (5-3 WAC), Tarleton State is coming off a heartbreaking 73-70 loss to the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Thursday. With an offense led by Jakorie Smith's 14.3 points per game, there are four different Texans averaging double-figure scoring: Smith, KiAndre Gaddy (12.5), Lue Williams (12.2) and Devon Barnes (11.0).
 
TSU has controlled the all-time series, holding a 4-1 advantage through five total matchups - including a 74-72 victory the last time these teams played in Stephenville; both of last season's matchups finished  with a point differential of less than five points.
 
Last Game
Utah Tech fell in its last game to the Abilene Christian Wildcats, played on the campus of McMurry University in Abilene. After jumping out to a lead early in the first half, ACU used a quick 10-2 run to take a lead into the break. Though Utah Tech cut that lead down to as little as four early in the second half, the Wildcats went on a 23-2 run to build a commanding lead that Utah Tech could not overcome, falling 82-60.
 
Big Man Buckets
Tanner Christensen had yet another standout performance against Abilene Christian, coming within one rebound of his fifth double-double of the season to finish the game with 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one block. His usage rage has seen an uptick in recent games, as the 6-10 big man is averaging 14 points and 8.3 rebounds per game across his last three appearances, while Thursday's scoring output was also his 10th game in double-figures this season.

Bench Minutes
Angelo Kambala has played his way into the rotation as the season reaches its home stretch, as the 6-0 Las Vegas native played 17 minutes against Abilene Christian while appearing in his fifth-straight game. He finished second on the team in scoring with eight points, which included two made triples, while adding a rebound and one steal.
 
Kambala has played in 11 games this season, averaging 10.8 minutes per appearance.
 
Career-High
Tennessee Rainwater found himself on the court for nine minutes against ACU, with the true freshman wing tying a career-high for scoring with seven points (2-2 FG, 3-6 FT). In his first season at Utah Tech, Rainwater has been a consistent part of the rotation, playing in 15 of the team's 19 games while posting averages of 2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds across 7.5 minutes played.
 
First Five
Aric Demings made his return to the starting five in his home state of Texas on Thursday, finishing with seven points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals across 26 minutes of action. The 6-0 Demings had played in a reserve role the previous three games but still enters Saturday's game with 16 starts on the year, averaging 8.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while leading the team with 51 total assists this season.
 
Instant Impact
Mere days after playing the best game of his young career against Utah Valley, Stone Hutchings once again found himself on the court against Abilene Christian. He scored each of his four points (1-1 FG, 2-3 FT) within three minutes of checking into the game, also adding one rebound.
 
A redshirt freshman from West Jordan, Utah, Hutchings has made six appearances this season.
 
Triple Trey
Trey Hall scored his first points of the season against Utah Valley last weekend which translated into Thursday's game at Abilene Christian. Across a season-high 11 minutes, Hall connected on his first three-pointer of the season to finish with three points, two rebounds and one assist. Entering Saturday's game with eight appearances this season, the Willimantic, Conn., native has played in each of the team's last three games, averaging 7.0 minutes in each of those appearances.
 
All-Around Effort
Hamed Olayinka played more minutes against Abilene Christian on Thursday than he had in each of his previous 18 appearances as a Trailblazer. Utah Tech's 6-9 shot-blocking forward recorded a stat in each of the five major categories, finishing with a line of six points (3-3 FG), two rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.
 
Olayinka, a sophomore from Los Angeles, Calif., ranks among the WAC's elite rim defenders, entering Saturday's game with a third-ranked average of 1.84 blocks per game to go with 5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds.
 
What's Next
Utah Tech returns home for its next four games, hosting UTRGV and UT Arlington next weekend before welcoming Southern Utah (Feb. 8) and California Baptist (Feb. 10) one week later.