Utah Tech Triumphs Over Southern Utah 80-66
Monday, December 29, 2025, 9:00 PM ET · Burns Arena
Utah Tech Trailblazers 80, Southern Utah Thunderbirds 66, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs Utah Tech Trailblazers?
Utah Tech Trailblazers beat Southern Utah Thunderbirds 80-66 at Burns Arena on December 29, 2025.
Who was favored in Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs Utah Tech Trailblazers?
Utah Tech Trailblazers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -345 (about 78% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup, the Utah Tech Trailblazers secured a solid 80-66 victory against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Burns Arena. This win marks an important moment for Utah Tech, who improved their overall record to 9-7, while Southern Utah fell to 4-11. The Trailblazers showcased their offensive prowess, scoring an average of 77.4 points in their last ten games, and they managed to maintain that momentum against a struggling Thunderbirds team.
Utah Tech entered the game with a mixed record of 5-5 over their last ten outings, but they were looking to bounce back after a recent loss to the Creighton Bluejays, where they fell 69-92. The Trailblazers had previously shown strength at home, holding a 3-2 record in their last five games at Burns Arena. Their scoring average at home was bolstered by a standout performance against the Justice Lions, where they won 89-48.
On the other hand, Southern Utah has been on a downward trajectory, losing their last three games and holding a 3-7 record over their last ten. Their most recent defeat came against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, where they lost 57-65. The Thunderbirds have struggled significantly on the road, with a dismal away record of 1-7 in their last eight games. They have averaged 75.6 points but have allowed a concerning 81.7 points per game during this stretch.
The two teams had met three times prior in the current season, with Utah Tech holding a 1-2 record against Southern Utah. Their last encounter was on March 11, 2025, where Utah Tech emerged victorious with a score of 72-65. In the earlier meetings, Southern Utah had bested Utah Tech 82-75 and 76-74, indicating a competitive rivalry.
In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any impact players missing from either side, which suggests both teams were at full strength for this contest. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Utah Tech favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 148.5. The odds reflected a strong belief in Utah Tech's capability to secure a win, as evidenced by their -345 moneyline compared to Southern Utah's +275.
The conditions at Burns Arena were conducive to a high-scoring affair, and Utah Tech capitalized on their home advantage. The Trailblazers' performance was highlighted by key scoring plays in the second half, including a significant three-point jumper from Madiba Owona that pushed the score to 80-64 late in the game. Lorenzo Abellar of Southern Utah made several attempts to rally his team, including a step-back jumper that brought the score to 66-80, but it was not enough to close the gap.
Overall, the game showcased Utah Tech's offensive capabilities and their ability to perform under pressure, while Southern Utah continued to struggle with consistency and defensive lapses. Fans watching the game would have noted the Trailblazers' effective ball movement and scoring efficiency, particularly in the second half, where they outscored the Thunderbirds significantly.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UTU -7.5 | 148.5 o -115 / u -105 | Southern Utah Thunderbirds +275 · Utah Tech Trailblazers -345 |
Leaders
- PointsNoah Bolanga18Utah Tech Trailblazers
- AssistsJusaun Holt4Utah Tech Trailblazers
- ReboundsEthan Potter9Utah Tech Trailblazers
- PointsDylan Jones12Southern Utah Thunderbirds
- AssistsElijah Duval3Southern Utah Thunderbirds
- ReboundsIsaiah Cottrell8Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Recent form
Utah Tech Trailblazers
Last 10: 5-5Streak L177.4 scored · 71.7 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L69-92at Creighton BluejaysDec 23
- W82-80at Weber State WildcatsDec 21
- W89-48vs Justice LionsDec 14
- L80-90at Santa Clara BroncosDec 4
- W77-69vs UC Riverside HighlandersNov 29
- L63-68vs Portland State VikingsNov 26
- W96-48vs Nobel KnightsNov 22
- L62-68at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsNov 16
- W81-75at Mississippi Valley State Delta DevilsNov 15
- L75-79vs Manhattan JaspersNov 13
Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Last 10: 3-7Streak L375.6 scored · 81.7 allowed per game1-7 away
- L57-65at Northern Arizona LumberjacksDec 19
- L69-105at Washington HuskiesDec 13
- L70-81at Oregon State BeaversDec 6
- W124-59vs West Coast Baptist EaglesDec 2
- W70-68at Stetson HattersNov 29
- L54-61at Robert Morris ColonialsNov 28
- W103-68vs Nobel KnightsNov 23
- L74-98at Washington State CougarsNov 20
- L50-122at Gonzaga BulldogsNov 18
- L85-90at Omaha MavericksNov 16
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State | 20-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Montana State | 18-14 | 1 | 12-6 |
| Eastern Washington | 14-19 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Northern Colorado | 20-12 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Montana | 18-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Weber State | 16-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Idaho | 21-15 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Sacramento State | 10-21 | 8 | 6-12 |
| Idaho State | 13-20 | 8 | 5-13 |
| Northern Arizona | 10-22 | 9 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Southern Utah Thunderbirds | Utah Tech Trailblazers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-58 | 31-69 |
| Field goal % | 41 | 45 |
| Three-pointers | 5-19 | 10-23 |
| Three-point % | 26 | 43 |
| Free throws | 13-21 | 8-13 |
| Free throw % | 62 | 62 |
| Rebounds | 36 | 43 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 28 |
| Assists | 6 | 16 |
| Steals | 4 | 9 |
| Blocks | 6 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 20 |
| Fast-break points | 13 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 40 |
| Fouls | 13 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 7 | 7 |
| Time in front | 42 | 51 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half33-34Kai Burdick makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 1st Half35-34Dylan Jones makes layup
- 1st Half37-34Elijah Duval makes layup
- 1st Half37-36Ethan Potter makes layup (Madiba Owona assists)
- 1st Half37-38Ethan Potter makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 1st Half39-38Tanner Hayhurst makes layup
- 1st Half39-41Jusaun Holt makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half41-41Elijah Duval makes driving layup
- 2nd Half42-41Elijah Duval makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half44-41Elijah Duval makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-44Noah Bolanga makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half44-46Jusaun Holt makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-49Jusaun Holt makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tanner Davis assists)
- 2nd Half44-50Ethan Potter makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-52Tanner Davis makes 0-foot dunk (Jusaun Holt assists)
- 2nd Half44-54Noah Bolanga makes driving layup
- 2nd Half47-54Zach Bell makes 29-foot three point jumper (Lorenzo Abellar assists)
- 2nd Half47-56Ethan Potter makes layup (Tanner Davis assists)
- 2nd Half47-58Madiba Owona makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half49-58Tanner Hayhurst makes driving layup
- 2nd Half50-58Tanner Hayhurst makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half50-59Jusaun Holt makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-59Dylan Jones makes 11-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half52-62Chance Trujillo makes 24-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half54-62Isaiah Cottrell makes layup
- 2nd Half55-62Isaiah Cottrell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half57-62Elijah Duval makes driving layup
- 2nd Half57-65Britton Berrett makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ethan Potter assists)
- 2nd Half57-68Britton Berrett makes 24-foot three point jumper (Noah Bolanga assists)
- 2nd Half57-70Noah Bolanga makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half57-73Madiba Owona makes 26-foot three point jumper (Noah Bolanga assists)
- 2nd Half58-73Isaiah Cottrell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-73Lorenzo Abellar makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-73Lorenzo Abellar makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-75Noah Bolanga makes layup
- 2nd Half63-75Lorenzo Abellar makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half63-77Ethan Potter makes layup (Madiba Owona assists)
- 2nd Half64-77Lorenzo Abellar makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-80Madiba Owona makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ethan Potter assists)
- 2nd Half66-80Lorenzo Abellar makes 9-foot step back jumpshot
Win probability
Above the line favours Utah Tech Trailblazers, below favours Southern Utah Thunderbirds.
Venue
- Burns ArenaSt. George, UT
- Attendance2524
- OfficialsDeron White, D.G. Nelson, Kirk Smith
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