Men's Basketball | 12/18/2025 12:00:00 PM

Game #13
Who | Utah Tech (6-6) at Weber State (5-6)
When | Saturday, Dec. 20 – 7 p.m.
Where | Dee Events Center – Ogden, Utah
Broadcast | ESPN+ / 99.5 The Fan Sports Network
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

SCOUTING WEBER STATE WILDCATS
Weber State is 5-6 on the season coming into Saturday with a 4-1 mark at home with wins over West Coast Baptist, Campbell, Kansas City and Oral Roberts.

The Wildcats also have a road win over Kansas City on the road on Dec. 10 and are coming off a tough road contest at Utah Valley on Wednesday falling 90-74.

WSU battled Big 12 foe Utah tough on the road, falling 92-89 in overtime in their second game of the season on Nov. 8

The Wildcats are coming off a 12-22 overall record in 2024-25 finishing ninth in the Big Sky with a 5-13 record and were picked ninth in the Big Sky preseason coaches and media poll.

WSU is leading the Big Sky & ranks 32nd nationally in rebounds per game (41.55) and also tops the conference & ranks second nationally in three point percentage defense (25.0).

The Wildcats rank third in the conference in field goal percentage defense (42.9) and are fourth in turnovers forced per game (12.73).

Individually, junior forward Malek Gomma ranks third in the WAC in rebounds per game (7.5).

Junior guard Jace Whiting ranks second in the Big Sky in assist/turnover (3.30) and eighth in the conference in field goal percentage (50.4).

Junior guard Tijan Saine Jr. is sixth in the conference in assists per game (4.3).

SERIES HISTORY VS. WEBER STATE
The Trailblazers and Wildcats will meet for the fourth time in program history after the Wildcats won a thrilling 73-71 contest in St. George last season winning with a last-second layup.

Utah Tech earned its first victory over the Wildcats on Dec. 3, 2022 with a 77-65 win in Ogden and the two teams met for the first time in St. George on Nov. 27, 2021 falling 87-70.

UTAH TECH VS. BIG SKY OPPONENTS
The Trailblazers are 2-5 all-time in seven meetings against four different Big Sky opponents.

Weber State is the most commonly-played opponent for the Trailblazers with three prior meetings along with a pair against Idaho (1-1) and one against both Montana (0-1) and Portland State (0-1).

LAST TIME OUT VS. JUSTICE
A 27-0 first-half run for the Trailblazers pushed Utah Tech to a 89-48 rout over Justice University on Dec. 13 at Burns Arena.

Utah Tech saw five Trailblazers in double figures led by a career-high 19 points from Noah Bolanga who matched his season high with eight rebounds to lead UT in both categories.

Ethan Potter added 16 points and six rebounds while a trio of Trailblazers tallied 10 points apiece in Britton Berrett, Dallin Grant and Tanner Davis.

As a team, the Trailblazers shot 54.2 percent (32-59) from the field, 35.7 percent (10-27) from three-point range and 68.2 percent (15-22) from the free-throw line.

After falling behind early 6-1 to the Lions after the opening two minutes, the Trailblazers answered back with a 27-0 run over the next nine minutes to take a commanding 28-6 lead.

A layup from Justice finally ended the cold drought for the Lions, but another big run by the Trailblazers, this time a 12-2 run, extended their lead to 40-10 after a dunk by Bolanga and took a 47-16 lead to the halftime break.

A triple from Bolanga got the second half started for the Trailblazers and a three-pointer by Davis extended UT's lead to 64-26 on their way to a 41-point win.

BOLANGA NAMED WAC NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK
Bolanga was named the WAC Newcomer of the Week on Monday afternoon scoring a career-high 19 points on Saturday night in a 89-48 rout of Justice.

He went 7-of-15 from the field and set season highs in three-pointers made (5) and three pointers attempted (10).

In addition, Bolanga matched his season high with eight rebounds and added three steals and a pair of assists.

WHERE THE TRAILBLAZERS RANK IN THE WAC/NCAA IN 2025-26
Utah Tech comes into Saturday's contest leading the WAC in three point attempts (25.1) and ranks second in three point percentage defense (27.7) and turnovers per game (13.1).

The Trailblazers check in field goal percentage (46.7), field goal percentage defense (42.6) & three pointers per game (7.4).

Individually, Potter leads the WAC in field goal percentage (58.6) & ranks second in both points (197) & rebounds (85).

Chance Trujillo ranks second in minutes per game (33:39) & free throw percentage (88.9).

Bolanga leads the conference in three point attempts (80) and ranks sixth in rebounds per game (5.8) & minutes per game (30:45).

DOUBLE DIGITS PERFORMANCES
Potter has registered double digits in 11 of the Trailblazers 12 contests this season and has topped 20 or more points in four games.

Bolanga sits second with eight double figure contests followed by seven from Davis & five apiece fom Trujillo & Jusaun Holt.

TWO STRAIGHT HOT CONTESTS FROM DOWNTOWN
For a second straight game, the Trailblazers were hot from downtown sinking a season-best 10 three-pointers against Justice after also hitting 10 from long range at Santa Clara on Dec. 3.

It is the first time since Feb. 8 (13 at Seattle U) & Feb. 11, 2023 (11 vs. Tarleton State) the Trailblazers have had back-to-back games with 10 or more made three-pointers.

DISHING IT OUT
The Trailblazers set a season high with 25 assists on 32 field goals over Justice on Saturday.

It was the most assists for the Trailblazers since Nov. 30, 2021 when Utah Tech also had 25 assists in a 99-61 win over Bethesda.

IN ALL SIX WINS
The Trailblazers have found four commonalities in all five of its victories this season. 

Utah Tech has led at half, shot 40 percent or better from the field, tallied more assists & shot a higher percentage from three-point range than their opponents in all six of its wins.

OWONA & BERRETT SET NEW CAREER HIGHS AT SANTA CLARA
Owona & Berrett each set new career highs in points at Santa Clara on Dec. 3 with Owona notching 25 points to top his previous high of 22 points set at Southern Utah last season. 

Berrett posted 17 points also topped his previous career high surpassing the 16 points he scored in a win at home last season over Whittier.

ELITE COMPANY
Head coach Jon Judkins is in his 21st season at Utah Tech sporting a 344-234 (.595) overall record and a 324-222 (.593) mark in NCAA play.

Only eight current Division I coaches have been at their schools longer - Greg Kampe (42nd season at Oakland), Tom Izzo (31-Michigan St.), Mark Few (27-Gonzaga), James Jones (27-Yale), Randy Bennett (27-Saint Mary's), Scott Drew (23-Baylor), Bill Self (23-Kansas) & Gary Manchel (23-Mercyhurst).

POTTER NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-WAC TEAM
For only the second time in the Trailblazers' six season in the WAC, UT had a preseason All-WAC selection with Potter joining Hunter Schofield in 2020-21.

UP NEXT
The Trailblazers wrap up non-conference action at Creighton (6-5) on Monday night at 6 p.m. at the CHI Health Center.