ST. GEORGE, Utah (Interstat) — Savannah Stoker had 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and Utah Tech overwhelmed visiting Nelson 133-47 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game on Wednesday at Burns Arena. The Trailblazers improved to 2-1 with the non-divisional victory in front of an announced attendance of 533. Utah Tech scored its 133 points from 97 possessions, posting an offensive rating of 137.0, and never trailed.

Utah Tech set the tone immediately. The Trailblazers scored the first 20 points, beginning with Kendall Dykstra’s layup 15 seconds into the game. Alyssa Bowen followed with a 3-pointer and two more baskets, Ava Smith connected from beyond the arc, Maia Rhay scored five straight points and Calyn Wood capped the run with a 3-pointer that made it 20-0 with 5:10 left in the first quarter. Nelson did not score until Sophia Moron hit a 3-pointer with 4:57 remaining in the period. Nelson added free throws from Mua’Lyia Green and a jumper from Juliana Kirker later in the quarter, but Utah Tech led 35-10 after one quarter, with Bowen and Dykstra active around the rim and Rhay and Wood stretching the defense.

The Trailblazers kept the pressure on in the second quarter. Ava Smith opened the period with a layup, Sophia Zufelt scored in transition and from the free-throw line, Savannah Stoker worked inside for two baskets and Maia Rhay added a layup as Utah Tech outscored Nelson 28-4 in the quarter. Gabby Gomez hit a 3-pointer late in the half and Ava Smith made a free throw to close the scoring. Utah Tech’s defense limited Nelson to a Gracen Dover layup and a Sole Peterson jump shot in the period, while the Trailblazers kept scoring in transition and at the rim. Utah Tech took a 63-14 lead into halftime. The first half established the game’s decisive margin, with Utah Tech’s early 20-0 run and its sizeable halftime advantage the most important developments of the night.

Utah Tech pushed the lead to 100-26 by the end of the third quarter. Alyssa Bowen opened the third-quarter scoring with a layup, Ava Smith followed with a jump shot and 3-pointer, and Savannah Stoker scored on consecutive layups as the lead swelled. Aubrey Cook scored inside, Kendall Dykstra finished at the rim and Maci Hess added a tip-in as the Trailblazers continued to convert. Gabby Gomez scored on a layup and Calyn Wood hit a 3-pointer. Nelson got baskets from Emma Koker and Ajana Kenyatta in the period, but the visiting team could not cut into the deficit.

The Trailblazers finished the game with a strong fourth quarter. Maci Hess converted a three-point play, Gabby Gomez and Calyn Wood hit 3-pointers, Maia Rhay scored repeatedly near the basket and Aubrey Cook added tip-ins. Savannah Stoker made a driving layup, while Kendall Dykstra and Ava Smith also scored in the period. Utah Tech’s reserves also contributed down the stretch, with Hess and Gomez converting inside and from long range. Nelson’s Gracen Dover and Charissa Brown produced late baskets, and Ajana Kenyatta made free throws, but Utah Tech closed out the 133-47 victory. Utah Tech’s lead reached its final 86-point margin at the end.

Stoker led the way for Utah Tech. The 5-foot-9 guard from Winnemucca, Nev., who attended Albert M. Lowry High School, finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes. She had scored 22 points with seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks in her previous game against California Baptist, and 15 points with five rebounds, three assists and two blocks against LIFE Pacific before that. Stoker’s performance came in just 17 minutes and helped Utah Tech control the paint throughout.

Maia Rhay, a 5-foot-8 guard from Corner Canyon High School, added 18 points, one rebound, five assists and three blocks in 20 minutes for Utah Tech. Aubrey Cook, a 6-foot-4 center from Legend High School, posted a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and three blocks in 22 minutes. Sophia Zufelt, a 5-foot-7 guard from Lake City High School, contributed 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists in 18 minutes. Alyssa Bowen, a 6-foot guard from Mundaring Christian College, scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 21 minutes. Ava Smith, a 5-foot-8 guard from Union High School, also scored 13 points, adding two rebounds, three assists and one block in 18 minutes. Calyn Wood, a 5-foot-8 guard from Idaho Falls High School, had nine points, four rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes. Kendall Dykstra, a 5-foot-11 guard from Whitney High School, scored eight points in 20 minutes. Gabby Gomez, a 5-foot-7 guard from Cedar City High School, added eight points and two assists in 10 minutes. Maci Hess, a 5-foot-10 forward from Perry High School, chipped in nine points and three rebounds in 20 minutes.

Utah Tech finished with 34 assists, 24 offensive rebounds, seven blocks and 13 turnovers. The Trailblazers’ offensive rating of 137.0 came against a Nelson team that scored 47 points. Utah Tech also controlled the offensive glass with 24 offensive rebounds, which helped create extra possessions. Nelson, a non-divisional opponent, got scoring contributions from several players, including Sophia Moron’s first-quarter 3-pointer, Juliana Kirker’s jumpers and free throws, and Ajana Kenyatta’s work at the free-throw line. Emma Koker, Mua’Lyia Green, Gracen Dover and Valery Velazquez also scored for Nelson.

Utah Tech entered the game after a loss to California Baptist and a win over LIFE Pacific. The Trailblazers are scheduled to play at Boise State, Cal State Bakersfield and UC Santa Barbara in their next three games. Utah Tech, now 2-1, will next play at Boise State. No point spread, betting line, game simulator projection or over-under information was provided.