Phoenix, AZ—Utah Tech couldn’t overcome a frigid shooting performance on Tuesday night, falling to unbeaten Arizona State, 81–54, at Desert Financial Arena.
Game Summary
The Trailblazers (3–2, 0–0 WAC) generated early opportunities by forcing four quick Sun Devil turnovers, but they were unable to capitalize. Utah Tech opened the night 0-for-7 from the field, including four missed three-point attempts, allowing ASU (6–0) to build momentum despite its own slow start.
A layup from Lauren Crocker finally put Utah Tech on the board midway through the first quarter, cutting the deficit to 6–2 with 5:27 remaining. The Blazers added interior buckets from Chardonnay Hartley and Kaylee Borden, but Arizona State closed the period strong, using a 12–6 run to take an 18–8 lead after ten minutes.
Early in the second quarter, Crocker and Brie Crittendon scored on back-to-back possessions to bring Utah Tech within 20–12. That would be the closest the Trailblazers came. Arizona State responded with a decisive 15–4 surge and dominated the rest of the half, heading into the break up 44–21 after outscoring Utah Tech by 13 in the frame.
The Blazers looked rejuvenated coming out of halftime, hitting five of their first eight shots to trim the margin to 50–34 with just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter. Maddie Warren snapped the team’s 0-for-16 drought from deep with two three-pointers during a 13–6 run, prompting an ASU timeout.
But Utah Tech’s momentum stalled once again. The Blazers managed only one field goal over the final five minutes of the quarter, allowing the Sun Devils to extend their advantage to 61–39 entering the fourth.
Arizona State quickly put the game out of reach with an 11–2 burst to begin the final period and coasted the rest of the way.
Statistical Highlights
Utah Tech finished just 5-of-28 (17.9%) from beyond the arc, with Warren accounting for three of those makes while leading the team with 14 points.
Crocker delivered a career night, recording 11 points and matching her Utah Tech career high with eight rebounds.
Hartley contributed seven points and a season-best eight assists, and Crittendon added seven points and 10 rebounds.
The Trailblazers shot a season-low 29.9% from the field and went 9-of-12 at the free-throw line.
For Arizona State, McKinna Brackens posted a dominant 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. The Sun Devils shot 41.3% overall, controlled the glass 62–36, and overwhelmed Utah Tech on the offensive boards with a 23–9 advantage that produced 22 second-chance points.
Next Up:
Utah Tech returns home to wrap up its 2025–26 nonconference schedule with a five-game holiday homestand. The Trailblazers host former RMAC foe Westminster University this Saturday at Burns Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 12 p.m. MT.
Arizona State will host Little Rock on Friday November 28th.
