(Arlington, Texas - Feb. 1, 2025) - Despite a career-high 25 points from senior guard Noa Gonsalves, the Trailblazers were unable to hold onto a late lead falling 73-71 at UT Arlington on Saturday afternoon at College Park Center.

"We had chances. It is hard to win on the road, especially in the WAC, but we had so many chances to win the game. I thought we got better today and if we can continue that, we want to be playing our best going into the WAC Tournament. We have to find a way to get win these close games and if we can learn from this and get better from this. I thought the focus was good, the energy was good," head coach Jon Judkins said.

Gonsalves, who led the Trailblazers in scoring for a team-leading ninth time this season, finished 9-for-14 from the field and 5-for-9 from three-point range, and added four rebounds and two assists.

Fellow senior Hakim Byrd made it two 20-point scorers finishing with 20 points, including hitting 4-for-6 from behind the arc, and added four rebounds and three assists while playing all 40 minutes.

Freshman center Pavle Misic came off the bench for a season-high eight points and chipped in four rebounds and three assists.

UT Arlington (11-11, 4-4 WAC) had a balanced scoring attack with five Mavs in double figures led by 15 from both Jaden Wells and Brody Robinson. Lance Ware added a double-double finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

How It Happened
A contest that saw 17 lead changes and eight ties, the Trailblazers used a 7-0 run to take a 20-14 lead after a layup by Tennessee Rainwater with 7:37 to play in the opening half.

A 14-6 run for the Mavericks put UTA ahead 28-26, but a layup by Riley tied the contest and back-to-back buckets by Misic gave the Trailblazers a 32-30 lead at halftime.

The opening six minutes of the second half saw the Mavericks race out of the gate on a 17-6 run for a 47-38 lead. A three-pointer by Gonsalves and a tip-in layup by Misic brought UT within four.

An 8-0 run for the Trailblazers midway through the second half saw UT turn a six-point deficit to a 53-51 lead and after the lead changed hands six more times, the Trailblazers held a 66-61 lead after a triple by Gonsalves with 3:05 left in regulation.

Nine straight points for the Mavs over the next two-plus minutes put UTA ahead 70-66, with the Trailblazers responding with a three-point play from Gonsalves to get within one with 20 seconds remaining.

After trading a pair of free throws, Ware made one of two final free throws with two seconds left as the Trailblazers were unable to get a shot attempted at the end.

Numbers to Know

• The Trailblazers fall to 1-4 against UT Arlington and 0-3 on the road against the Mavericks.
• Overall, Utah Tech shot 41.8 percent (28-67) from the field, 37 percent (10-27) from three-point range and 83.3 percent (5-6) from the free throw line. It was the fourth game this season the Trailblazers have hit 10 or more three-pointers while the six free throw attempts are a season low.
• Gonsalves reached 20 or more points for the third time this season and surpassed his previous career high of 24 points, most recently set vs. UTA at home on Jan. 9.
• Byrd continues to play at a high level in WAC play scoring in double figures for the fourth straight contest and sixth time in seven WAC games. It was his third game this season with 20 or more points and most in a true road game.
• Beon Riley led the Trailblazers with eight rebounds for his 14th game this season leading the team in rebounds.
• It was only the third game this season the Trailblazers have had two players with 20 or more points joining wins over South Dakota (Dec. 19) and UT Arlington (Jan. 9).
• The Trailblazers led the Mavericks in rebounds (40-30), offensive rebounds (17-8), second chance points (27-6), points in the paint (30-24), and bench points (17-14).

What's Next
The Trailblazers return home next week to host Abilene Christian (9-13, 1-6 WAC) on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Burns Arena. Utah Tech will host a Food Drive starting at 6 p.m. and all donations go to the Utah Food Bank.