Men's Basketball | 12/21/2025 2:30:00 PM

Game #14
Who | Utah Tech (7-6) at Creighton (7-5)
When | Monday, Dec. 22 – 6 p.m. MT
Where | CHI Health Center Omaha – Omaha, Neb.
Broadcast | ESPN+ / 99.5 The Fan Sports Network
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

SCOUTING CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS
Creighton is 7-5 on the season coming into Monday's contest on a two-game winning streak after opening Big East play last week with wins at Xavier (98-57) and at home on Saturday against Marquette (84-63).

The Bluejays, who are 5-1 at home this season, also have a win over Oregon in the Players Era Tournament in Last Vegas.

Opening the season ranked No. 23 in the preseason AP poll, the Bluejays went 25-11 overall last season and finished second in the Big East regular season with a 15-5 overall mark.

The Bluejays, who have made seven of the last eight NCAA Touraments dating back to 2017, beat Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Touranment last season before falling to Auburn in the second round.

Creighton ranks second in the Big East in three pointers made per game (10.2) and sit third in the conference in assists per game (17.0).

Individually, the Bluejays have a very balanced attack with eight players averaging 7.5 or more points per game and are led senior guard Josh Dix with 11.8 ppg.

Dix is sixth in the conference in minutes per game (31:08) and junior forward Owen Freeman is seventh in the Big East in blocks per game (1.25).

Sophomore guard Blake Harper is sixth in the conference in free throw percentage (81.8).            

SERIES HISTORY VS. CREIGHTON
This will be the Trailblazers and Bluejays first-ever meeting.

This will also be the second time the Trailblazers will have played a game in the state of Nebraska.

It will be the fourth meeting against a program from Nebraska joining a contest against Nebraska-Kearney on Dec. 5, 2008 when then-Dixie State defeated the Lopers in a neutral site contest, 92-81 at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo along with a pair of meetings against Chadron State in 2019 and 2020 while members of the RMAC.

UTAH TECH VS. BIG EAST OPPONENTS
This will also be the Trailblazers' first meeting against a member of the Big East.

Currently sitting at 11 members, the Big East consists of UConn, St. John's, Creighton, Butler, Xavier, Seton Hall, Georgetown, Villanova, DePaul, Providence and Marquette.

The Big East owns four of the last nine national champions dating back to 2016 with a pair of titles by Villanova (2016 & 2018) and UConn (2023 & 2024).

LAST TIME OUT AT WEBER STATE
A layup in the final seconds by Ethan Potter gave the Trailblazers a thrilling 82-80 victory at Weber State on Saturday night at the Dee Events Center.

Utah Tech was led by the fifth 20-point performance of the season by Potter who led the Trailblazers with 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field and added a team-high eight rebounds.

Madiba Owona reached double figures for the fifth time this season adding 18 points while Noah Bolanga chipped in 16 points.

Jusaun Holt chipped in 12 points off the bench, including nine in the first half.

Leading 43-41 at the break, an even start to the second half saw the Wildcats take a narrow 63-62 lead and a three-pointer by the Wildcats tied the contest at 68 apiece with six minutes to play.

A 7-0 run for the Trailblazers, getting back-to-back three-pointers from Bolanga and Owona, pushed UT ahead 75-68, but eight straight points for WSU gave the Wildcats a 76-75 with 1:38 remaining.

After each team made a pair of free throws apiece, Owona drilled a triple from the top of the key to put the Trailblazers up, 80-78.

Two free throws by Tijan Saine Jr. tied the game at 80 before Chance Trujillo drove the lane in the final seconds and found Potter for the game-winning layup in the final seconds.

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 Monday's contest leading the WAC in three point attempts (25.1) and ranks second in three pointers made per game (7.5) & turnovers per game (12.8).

The Trailblazers check in third in the WAC in assist/turnover ratio (1.08), field goal percentage (47.0), scoring offense (79.2) & three point percentage defense (29.6).

Individually, Potter ranks second in the WAC in field goal percentage (57.9) & points per game (16.9) and are third in rebounds per game (7.2).

Trujillo is second in free throw percentage (86.8) and are third in minutes per game (33:32).

Bolanga leads the conference in three point attempts (87), ranks second in three-pointers made (24) and is fifth in minutes per game (30:51).

DOUBLE DIGITS PERFORMANCES
Potter has registered double digits in 12 of the Trailblazers' 13 contests this season and has topped 20 or more points in five games.

Bolanga sits second with nine double figure contests followed by seven from Tanner Davis, six from Jusaun Holt & five apiece fom Trujillo & Owona.

STAYING HOT FROM DOWNTOWN
The Trailblazers have been hot from downtown lately sinking nine three-pointers against Weber State after nailing a season-best 10 three-pointers against both Justice on Dec. 13 and at Santa Clara on Dec. 3.

It was 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.

IN ALL SEVEN WINS
The Trailblazers have found three commonalities in all seven of its victories this season. 

Utah Tech have led at half and shot 40 percent or better from the field in all seven of its wins.

Prior to Saturday's win at Weber State, the Trailblazers had also edged their opponents in assists and had a better three-point percentage than their opponents in all six wins, but saw the Wildcats hold an edge in both of those categories on Saturday.

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.

ELITE COMPANY
Head coach Jon Judkins is in his 21st season at Utah Tech sporting a 345-234 (.596) overall record and a 325-222 (.594) 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).

UP NEXT
The Trailblazers open their sixth and final season of WAC play on Dec. 29 hosting Southern Utah (4-9) at 7 p.m. at Burns Arena.