Utah Tech traveled to Moody Coliseum in Abilene, Texas, and came away with a 76-70 victory over Abilene Christian, led by a strong performance from Ethan Potter. Potter, who finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds, was one of three Utah Tech players to score in double figures, showcasing the team's balanced attack. Noah Bolanga added 13 points and 6 rebounds, while Jusaun Holt chipped in with 12 points.
Abilene Christian, who was predicted to win by 1 point according to CHD Scout, struggled to keep pace with Utah Tech's offense, particularly in the first half. The Trailblazers jumped out to a 42-31 lead at the break, with Potter and Bolanga combining for 19 points in the opening 20 minutes. Yaniel Rivera, who led Abilene Christian with 18 points, tried to keep his team in the game, but the Wildcats couldn't overcome the early deficit.
In the second half, Abilene Christian made a push, outscoring Utah Tech 39-34, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Trailblazers' strong start. Cbo Newton and Bradyn Hubbard added 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Wildcats, but their efforts were ultimately thwarted by Utah Tech's well-rounded performance. The Trailblazers' ability to spread the scoring around and crash the boards, outrebounding Abilene Christian 38-32, was the difference.
CHD Scout Report Card
INCORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's prediction of an Abilene Christian victory by 1 point was incorrect, as Utah Tech's 6-point margin of victory was a more convincing result than expected. The win improves Utah Tech's record to 12-11, while Abilene Christian falls to 10-10.
This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for both teams, which can be a challenging spot for resume-building. However, Utah Tech's victory will still be viewed as a positive result, given their current net ranking of 198. For Abilene Christian, the loss will be seen as a missed opportunity, as they were unable to capitalize on a home game against a team with a similar profile. With a net ranking of 241, the Wildcats must regroup and focus on their upcoming schedule to bolster their tournament chances.
The outcome of this game will have implications for both teams' tournament resumes, particularly for Utah Tech, who want to build on this momentum to strengthen their case for a postseason bid. While the loss may not be devastating for Abilene Christian, it highlights the need for the Wildcats to string together some wins and make a push in their conference to stay in the conversation. As the season enters its final stretch, both teams will be focused on making the most of their remaining schedule to achieve their goals.