Utah Tech Suffers Season-Opening Loss At Nevada

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Tech men’s basketball team failed to keep pace with the Nevada Wolf Pack and suffered a season-opening loss on the road.

The Wolf Pack hosted the Trailblazers at Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada.

Utah Tech fell to Nevada, 84-71.

Final in Reno.
C. Gooden – 16 pts
N. Gonsalves – 13 pts/8 rbs (career-highs)
I. Pope – 10 pts
UT (0-1) opens its 2022-23 home slate vs. @CSUNMBB on Saturday night inside the Burns Arena.#UtahTechBlazers | #WAChoops | #WACmbb pic.twitter.com/sENLdlX9TL

— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) November 8, 2022

After a back-and-forth game throughout the first 20 minutes of action, the Wolf Pack pulled away from the Blazers during the second half.

Utah Tech hung with Nevada in the first half and owned a six-point lead before going into the locker room at halftime down five points, 44-39. Over the final 20 minutes of game time, the Wolf Pack outscored the Blazers by eight points. Nevada’s largest lead was 20 points before winning by 13. Utah Tech never led in the second half.

The Trailblazers ended the night shooting 37.9 percent from the field, including 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. Nevada shot 50 percent overall and 30 percent from three.

Halftime in Reno.
C. Gooden – 10 pts/2 stls
F. Staine – 9 pts/2-5 3FG
UT – 35.5 FG% (11-32); 50.0 3FG% (5-10); 84.6 FT% (11-13)#UtahTechBlazers | #WAChoops | #WACmbb pic.twitter.com/pDKc7nWW1b

— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) November 8, 2022

Nevada’s size showed on the hardwood as the Wolf Pack recorded nine blocks compared to zero by the Blazers.

Utah Tech had only 12 assists to Nevada’s 21 and seven steals to 10 by the Wolf Pack.

Utah Tech had three players score in double figures. Cameron Gooden led the Trailblazers with 16 points on 5-15 shooting. Gooden added one rebounds, one assists, and two steals in 29 minutes. He also had seven turnovers in the loss.

Noa Gonsalves added 13 points on 5-7 field goals. Isaiah Pope poured in 10 points off the bench.

Here is your starting five for tonight's 2022-23 season opener at @NevadaHoops!#UtahTechBlazers | #WAChoops | #WACmbb pic.twitter.com/4TB6BiOlLU

— Utah Tech Men's Basketball (@UtahTechMBB) November 8, 2022

Nevada had four players score in double-digits. Jarod Lucas led the Wolf Pack with 17 points.

With the loss, the Trailblazers opened the season with an 0-1 record.

Utah Tech next game is the Blazers’ home opener. Utah Tech will host the Cal State Northridge Matadors on Saturday, November 12 at 7 p.m. (MDT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

ESPN Analytics currently gives Utah Tech a 57.8 percent chance at picking up its first win against Cal State Northridge.

Follow @kyleireland