2025 WAC Basketball Tournament Central

Utah Tech-Southern Utah 2025 WAC MBB 1st RD Box Score

ST. GEORGE, Utah – Sitting on the opposing bench did not do much to throw off No. 9 seed Utah Tech in the opening round of the 2025 WAC Men’s Basketball Tournament. Playing on its home floor as the designated road team at the predetermined first round tournament site, the Trailblazers knocked off No. 8 seed Southern Utah 72-65 on Tuesday afternoon at Burns Arena.

With the win, Utah Tech advanced to the Las Vegas portion of the 2025 WAC Basketball Tournament and will face No. 1 seed Utah Valley in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT at the Orleans Arena on ESPN+. The Trailblazers have reached the WAC quarterfinals in each of their last two tournament appearances, avenging a 76-75 loss to Southern Utah in the 2023 WAC quarterfinal round with Tuesday’s win at Burns Arena.

Hakim Byrd led the way for Utah Tech with 19 points and three steals in the opening round victory. Byrd’s 14 points in the first half helped the Trailblazers open a 38-27 halftime lead in the contest. Noa Gonsalves added 14 points and four rebounds, and Samuel Ariyibi chipped in 11 points, six boards and five assists for Utah Tech.
 
Dominique Ford paced Southern Utah with 16 points, three assists and two steals in defeat. Jamir Simpson added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Thunderbirds.