ST. GEORGE, Utah (Interstat) — In a Western Athletic Conference clash defined by starkly contrasting styles, the Utah Tech Trailblazers leaned on efficient offense and clutch free throw shooting to outlast the gritty but erratic Tarleton State Texans 75-71 on Saturday night at Burns Arena.

A crowd of 1,540 saw the Trailblazers improve to 10-10 overall, while Tarleton State fell to 11-8. The game was a tale of two statistical profiles, with Utah Tech’s precision ultimately overcoming Tarleton State’s relentless pressure and second-chance efforts.

The Texans’ strategy was clear from the outset: apply defensive pressure and crash the offensive glass. They forced 15 Utah Tech turnovers, converting them into transition opportunities, and dominated the rebounding battle on the offensive end with 13 boards leading to extra possessions. However, their inability to convert those advantages into points proved fatal. Tarleton State shot a frigid 2 for 18 from three-point range and a concerning 13 for 22 from the free throw line, squandering numerous chances to build or reclaim a lead.

Conversely, Utah Tech executed with calm efficiency. The Trailblazers shot 52.1% from the field and a solid 34.8% from beyond the arc. More critically, they capitalized at the foul line, making 17 of 23 attempts, including several in the tense final minute. Utah Tech also protected the rim effectively, recording seven blocks to Tarleton State’s two.

The game’s most important sequence unfolded in the final 33 seconds, transforming a one-possession contest into a two-possession Utah Tech lead. With the Trailblazers clinging to a 71-69 advantage, Tarleton State’s Leroy Kelly fouled Utah Tech’s Chance Trujillo on a defensive play. Trujillo, a guard from Kaysville, Utah, stepped to the line and calmly sank both free throws, pushing the lead to four.

On the ensuing possession, Tarleton State’s Camron McDowell, who led all scorers with 25 points, was fouled on a three-point attempt with 29 seconds left. Needing to hit all three to pull within one, McDowell made the first but missed the second. After a Utah Tech timeout, he made the third, trimming the deficit to 73-71.

Utah Tech then expertly inbounded the ball to forward Jusaun Holt, who was immediately fouled. Holt, who finished with 11 points, six assists and two blocks, displayed similar composure, knocking down both free throws to restore the four-point cushion at 75-71 with 18 seconds remaining. Tarleton State’s final two three-point attempts to close the gap missed their mark, sealing the Utah Tech victory.

The back-and-forth affair saw Utah Tech take a narrow 34-31 lead into halftime behind the interior presence of Ethan Potter. The Layton, Utah, native was a model of efficiency, scoring 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field. His post scoring provided a consistent counterpoint to Tarleton’s perimeter-oriented attack.

McDowell, a guard from Griffin, Georgia, spearheaded the Texans’ effort, adding five assists to his game-high 25 points. Dior Johnson provided a spark off the bench with 11 points, while Chris Mpaka and Kaia Isaac each added 11 and 9 points, respectively, with Mpaka pulling down several key offensive rebounds.

For Utah Tech, Noah Bolanga of Poitiers, France, was a crucial secondary scorer with 16 points, and Trujillo finished with 13, with his late free throws proving decisive.

The game’s advanced metrics highlighted the divergence in approaches. Utah Tech scored 75 points on just 68 possessions, an offensive rating of 110.4, showcasing their effective shot-making. Tarleton State, despite 75 possessions, managed only 71 points, an offensive rating of 94.1, underscoring their shooting struggles.

The win gives Utah Tech momentum as they prepare for a road test at California Baptist on Wednesday. Tarleton State, which has now lost two consecutive close conference games, looks to rebound on the road at Texas-Arlington, also on Wednesday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Stephenville, Texas, on Jan. 31.