ST. George — The Utah Tech women's basketball team earned a berth in the Western Athletic Conference postseason tournament for the second straight year with an 88-69 home victory over the University of Texas at Arlington on Saturday at Barnes Arena.
Senior Breonna Guillen, who recently moved to the top of Utah Tech's career scoring list, scored a game-high 38 points to lead the Trail Blazers to victory over the Mavericks.
With a record of 16 wins and 11 losses, the Trail Blazers finished fourth in the WAC standings with a 10-6 record.
With two weeks and four games left on the WAC schedule, Utah Tech is guaranteed to play in the WAC Postseason Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, in mid-March.
The first half of Saturday's game was a lively affair, with both teams tied 38-38 at the midway point.
Maddie Warren made two free throws and Guillen made an old-fashioned 3-point play to lead off the third, giving the home team a five-point lead.
Warren and Guillen teamed up for back-to-back three points, and Guillen scored another to increase Utah Tech's advantage to 51-44.
Karin Dallas had a steal and a score, and McCord's and-one gave the Trail Blazers a comfortable 10-point lead, then McCord's arcing 3-pointer and Guillen's two free throws cut the lead to 61-49. It was expanded to 12 points.
McCord then hit another 3, and Guillen assisted on McCord's bucket shot in transition, giving the home team a 74-57 lead with eight minutes left in the final quarter.
Guillen had a double-double with 10 rebounds and 38 points. McCord just missed that feat with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Warren had 16 points and eight rebounds. Dallas scored eight points, and Katlyn Deaver rounded out the score sheet for Utah Tech with a 3-pointer and seven points.
UT Arlington (14-13, 10-7 WAC) got a team-high 22 points from Avery Brittingham, who also had a double-double with 10 rebounds for the Mavericks. Gia Adams scored 16 points and Taliyah Clark added 10 points.
Utah Tech heads to Texas for its final trip of the regular season. The Trail Blazers will play at Tarleton State on February 29th, then at Abilene Christian on March 2nd.
of Utah Tech Men's Team They played the Mavericks in Arlington on Saturday afternoon and built a 13-point lead in the first half, but lost 89-78.
Aric Demings led the Trail Blazers with 19 points and Jalen Searles added 14 points, but it wasn't enough to prevent Utah Tech from losing its ninth consecutive game on the road.
With a record of 10 wins and 17 losses, the Trail Blazers fell to 6 wins and 10 losses in the WAC standings, placing them in ninth place among the 11-team WAC.
Utah Tech has work to do over the next two weeks. Teams must finish eighth or higher in the final conference standings to qualify for the WAC Postseason Tournament, which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in mid-March.
The Trail Blazers turned the ball over 20 times against the Mavericks, resulting in 25 points for the home team.
UT-Arlington won, paced by Makai Williams, who scored 23 points. Dajuan Gordon scored 17 points for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks finished with 17 assists compared to the Trail Blazers' seven. UT-Arlington also recorded more steals (10-7) and more blocks (4-2) than the visiting team.
Utah Tech hosts St. George next week for the final homestand of the regular season.
The Trail Blazers will play Tarleton State, the No. 2 team in the WAC, on February 29 at 7 p.m. at Barnes Arena.
Utah Tech then concludes its home regular season against Abilene Christian on March 2 at 7 p.m. The Wildcats hold a one-game lead over Utah Tech in the WAC standings.
Photo gallery
Utah Tech's Maggie McCord goes for a pass during a WAC women's basketball game against UT Arlington, St. George, Utah, February 24, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Breonna Guillen of Utah Tech vs. UT Arlington in WAC women's basketball game, St. George, Utah, February 24, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech's Maggie McCord goes for a pass during a WAC women's basketball game against UT Arlington, St. George, Utah, February 24, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech's Maddie Warren scores in WAC women's basketball game against UT Arlington, St. George, Utah, February 24, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
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