UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | February 16, 2025

Tarleton State Texans triumph over Trailblazers 70-61

The Utah Tech women’s basketball went head to head against Tarleton State University, Jan. 30 in the Burns Arena. Despite best efforts, the Trailblazers took a hit against the Texan Riders and lost the game 70-61. Brenna Quinones | Sun News Daily

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The tip off goes to Tarleton State University and the game begins. The stadium thundered Jan. 30 as the women’s basketball teams rushed onto the court. It was the Utah Tech University Trailblazers vs. the Tarleton State Texans. Both teams fought hard for four quarters with the Texans coming out on top with a final score of 70-61.

The band played music at the event with all sorts of instruments. They had a drum set and multiple sets of horns, including the trombone. The band played popular music like “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” “Livin on a Prayer” and others. 

The halftime show featured an elementary school class, a free throw competition between two children and a scrimmage between Quackles, the mascot of Quick Quack Car Wash, and Brooks the Bison vs. a group of about six children.

The two mascots playfully chased the ball as the young children tried to throw the ball into the hoop. Brooks and Quackles pretended to miss the ball and let the children have their fun.

Victoria Farias, a senior marketing major from Venezuela, helped with the halftime events. She made sure all of the people participating were there and in the right spot. She went out onto the court with the children and helped during the free throw competition. Farias also helped grab the rebound of the missed shots and handed the ball back to them for their next attempt. She said she loves to help out at the events.

“The energy and the environment is so fun,” Farias said. “It is so amazing.”

The game had high energy throughout, but one athlete in particular was No. 5 Chardonnay Hartley. She was a blur as she dashed across the court. She would reach in and swat the ball. At times when the two teams were wrestling for the ball, she would hold onto it even if it meant falling to the ground. 

Shooting guard Brie Crittendon, a junior healthcare administration major from Union, Kentucky, is starting her first year playing for Utah Tech. She played college basketball for four years at Eastern Kentucky University in the past. She has enjoyed her time on the team so far as she has gotten to know her teammates better.

Crittendon said, “We are unbreakable, and I just couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Guard Ellie Taylor, a freshman criminal justice major from West Jordan, said her favorite part is to get better at the sport and to get to know her teammates better. 

She said the highlight of the season has been “being able to get better and play with girls, who have been playing here for so long and learn from them and the coaches.”

After four quarters of intense game play, the Texans came out victorious. Through the highs and lows of the game came a final score of 70-61. The next game they will be playing is Feb. 6 against Abilene Christian University.