(St. George, Utah - Dec. 19, 2024) - Storming back from an 11-point deficit to South Dakota over the final 5:32 of the second half, the Trailblazers came out victorious over the Coyotes, 92-87 on Thursday night at Burns Arena.

"Tonight when we got close, we did not panic and knew what we were doing, and that is when you play those good teams early in the season, you learn from those experiences. It was nice to have Beon (Riley) back and Madiba (Owona) eligible," head coach Jon Judkins said after the win.

After missing the last three contests, Utah Tech (4-10) was led by a double-double from Beon Riley, who finished with 21 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.

Senior guard Noa Gonsalves notched a season-high 22 points, including connecting on 6-for-11 from three-point range, adding three rebounds and an assist.

Redshirt junior forward Samuel Ariyibi posted a second straight double-double finishing with 11 points and a career-best 12 rebounds.

Making his Trailblazer debut, freshman guard Madiba Owona came off the bench to score 11 points, including a clutch three-pointer in the final minute, along with two rebounds in 16 minutes of action.

"I was ready to play whenever they told me I was eligible and I was just happy. It was an unbelievable moment. I was ready for one minute and just happy to be on the court to help the team. It was an incredible game and we fought until the end and I was happy to be there," added Owona after his Trailblazer debut.

How It Happened
After getting started with three straight three-pointers, the Trailblazers jumped out to a 18-15 lead after a layup by Stone Hutchings.

A 9-3 run for the Coyotes pushed South Dakota ahead 24-21, but a layup by Ariyibi tied up the contest at 26 with 8:06 to play in the opening half.

Back-to-back three-pointers by USD pushed the visitors ahead 32-26, but the Trailblazers raced back with an 11-5 run to knot the game at 37 with just under four minutes to go until halftime.

With the Coyotes leading 42-39 at the break, South Dakota continued to lead throughout the second half building a 10-point lead (69-59) with 10:25 to play and USD continued to lead by 11 with five-and-half minutes to play.

A 14-5 run for the Trailblazers over the next three-and-half minutes brought UT back within two (84-82) as a three-pointer by Gonsalves put the Trailblazers in the lead for the first time in the half with 90 seconds remaining.

A layup by Ariyibi and a three-pointer by Owona extended the Trailblazers lead to six, 90-84 as UT completed the comeback win.

Numbers to Know

• The Trailblazers earned their second win over a Summit League opponent this season after previously beating Denver and it was their sixth win over the Summit League overall.
• Riley was one point shy of matching his career high in points (22 at Portland State, Nov. 30, 2024) and his 14 rebounds topped his previous career best of 13 set vs. Utah Valley on Dec. 2, 2023.
• Gonsalves was one three-pointer shy of matching his own single-game program record (7 vs. Florida International, Dec. 30, 2023).
• Utah Tech shot a season-high 49.2 percent (32-65) from the field and 44.8 percent (13-29) from three point range. The 13 made three-pointers were a season high for the Trailblazers.
• The Trailblazers out rebounded the Coyotes, 41-36 as the 41 rebounds were the most this season against a Division I opponent.
• UT also held a 7-3 edge in blocks as the seven blocks were a season high.
• South Dakota shot 46.5 percent (33-71) from the field and 38.5 percent (8-21) from three point range. The Coyotes' 71 field attempts were the most this season by a Trailblazer opponent.
• The 92 points were the most for Utah Tech in a win over a Division I opponent since scoring 96 against Florida International on Dec. 30, 2023.

Up Next
Utah Tech closes out the 2024 calendar year and non-conference action with their second and final WAC/C-USA Alliance Game on Dec. 30 at Florida International (4-7) at 10 a.m. in Miami.