Utah Tech’s women’s basketball team was unable to overcome two significant scoring runs by Abilene Christian University (ACU), resulting in a 76-66 defeat on Thursday night at Moody Coliseum. The loss ended the Trailblazers’ two-game winning streak.
ACU started the game strongly, scoring the first eight points and quickly building a 14-0 lead within just over three minutes of play. Utah Tech’s Paige Cofer put her team on the board with a layup at the 6:17 mark of the first quarter, helping to stabilize the Trailblazers after their slow start.
Cofer, who finished with 14 points, and Lauren Crocker, who contributed seven points in the first half, led Utah Tech as they gradually reduced ACU’s advantage. By halftime, Utah Tech trailed by nine points, with a score of 41-32.
After halftime, Kaylee Borden—who had been held scoreless in the first half—scored five quick points for Utah Tech. Her efforts helped narrow ACU’s lead to four points early in the third quarter. However, ACU responded with a decisive 13-0 run that extended their lead to 54-37 following a three-pointer from Natalia Chavez.
Crocker ended ACU’s run with her second three-pointer of the game. Brie Crittendon added another three-pointer before Borden hit two more from beyond the arc—including one at the buzzer—to bring Utah Tech within six points entering the fourth quarter.
Borden’s final three-pointer brought Utah Tech as close as four points at 63-59 with just over six minutes left in regulation. However, ACU outscored Utah Tech 13-7 down the stretch to secure its twentieth win of the season and complete a three-game sweep over Utah Tech this year.
Crocker recorded a career-high 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting and achieved her first collegiate double-double by grabbing 11 rebounds. Borden finished with all of her 14 points coming in the second half along with two assists and two steals. Cofer also scored 14 points but was limited to only two after halftime. Crittendon reached double figures as well, adding 13 points including eight after intermission.
Utah Tech shot just under 42 percent from the field and made a season-high twelve three-pointers while converting all eight free throw attempts. Chardonnay Hartley led all players with seven assists for Utah Tech.
For ACU, Erin Woodson led all scorers with 23 points and pulled down fourteen rebounds. The Wildcats shot about thirty-six percent from the field and made thirteen threes while going nearly eighty percent from the free throw line and outrebounding Utah Tech by sixteen boards.
Utah Tech will finish its home schedule this Saturday against Southern Utah at Burns Arena for Senior Day. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. Mountain Time.
