‘Tis was a week of highs and lows for Utah Tech University athletics. While women’s golf marked their program’s best performance, the men’s basketball team’s losing streak continued against Abilene Christian University.
Women’s golf
Utah Tech women’s golf team started off the spring 2025 season honored as the runner-up at the Utah Valley University-hosted Wigwam Preview in Litchfield Park, Arizona Feb. 2-4. The 2nd place result marks the program’s best team finish in its NCAA Division I era.
Leading the field through two rounds and securing 2nd place individually, junior Jenna Anderson had her best tournament in her collegiate career. Anderson was one of two golfers to post a red number in round one on Sunday, which was followed by another 71 on Monday; she then held the clubhouse lead on Tuesday.
Sophomore Mia Cesarek and Samantha Phelan made jumps up the leaderboard on Tuesday, placing 14th and 20th on the last day of the event.
Maria Purroy Galan tied for the 25th place and junior Jane Olson tied for the 29th place.
The team is now set for the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational, which starts Feb. 21.
Women’s basketball
The Utah Tech women’s basketball team lost to Abilene Christian, falling 84-66 Feb. 6. Notably, senior Emily Isaacson led the Trailblazers with 19 points, five rebounds and six-steals, which is tied for her career-high.
Despite the team’s loss, Utah Tech forced a season-high 28 turnovers and 21 steals—the most in its Division I era. In the fourth quarter, the Trailblazers cut the deficit to nine early, however, the Wildcats put redemption out of reach later in the game.
Utah Tech is now home in southern Utah to face its in-state rival—Southern Utah University Feb. 13 at the Burns Arena.
Men’s basketball
Utah Tech continued its losing streak with Abilene Christian 86-72. Senior guard Beon Riley, a senior business major from Chula Vista, California, led the Trailblazers with a double-double, posting 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Noa Gonsalves added 12 points.
The Wildcats set the tone early, shooting 9-for-10 to start the game and building a 13-point halftime lead. Despite a later 13-21 Utah Tech run sparked by a Tennessee Rainwater dunk, ACU maintained control and secured the victory.
When asked what could have been done to secure the win on Thursday, Riley said, “We could of came out with a little more juice and limited our turnovers early on.”
The Crimson Cliffs High School cheer and drill teams were in attendance to cheer them on during the halftime show.
The Trailblazers return to action Feb. 13 against SUU, looking to bounce back on the road.
Softball
Utah Tech opened the 2025 season by splitting a doubleheader against the University of California, Riverside at the Stacey Winsberg Memorial Tournament. The Trailblazers dominated game one with an 8-0 shutout behind Sauren Garten’s two-hit, six-strikeout performance.
Game two saw Utah Tech take an early 7-4 lead, but the Highlanders rallied late to hand the Trailblazers a 9-7 loss. Carly Eldredge led the offense in the second game, going three for three, while Utah Tech combined for 21 hits across both contests.
You can find more information about Utah Tech athletics here.
