Utah Basketball Falls in Exhibition to Adams State, 61-60

Friday, November 4

Salt Lake City

7:00 PM

University of Utah

Adams State (Exh.)

Utah Basketball Falls in Exhibition to Adams State, 61-60

11/4/2011 12:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Nov. 4, 2011

Box Score | Quotes

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah men's basketball team fell in exhibition play to Adams State by a 61-60 score Friday at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The Utes had four players score in double figures in the loss, including a team-high 12 points from both senior guard Josh Watkins and freshman guard Kareem Storey.

"Adams State came in ready to play," said Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak. "They came in prepared with a very energetic and athletic group and wreaked a little havoc on our team. This is a great learning experience. We're going to see a lot of that kind of pressure throughout the year and we need to be ready for it."

After playing to a 31-31 score at halftime, the Utes trailed by as many as six early in the second half, before taking the lead on a layup by Storey, who scored 10 of his 12 points in the second frame. The two teams traded leads for the remainder of the half, before Storey scored five straight on a jumper and a 3-pointer. A Watkins free throw game the Utes a five-point lead at 60-55 with 1:46 left in the game.

Adams State responded with two made free throws from Kaimyn Pruitt and a 3-pointer from Deray Wilson, to tie the game at 60-60.

With 38 seconds left and the game even, Storey called a timeout, not realizing that the team had already used its final opportunity to stop the clock. Wilson shot the technical free throws, making the second after missing the first, which was the difference in the game. Wilson finished the contest with eight points.

Utah junior transfers Dijon Farr and Cedric Martin each contributed 10 points for the Utes, while freshman forward Blake Wilkinson collected a game-high 11 rebounds in his first collegiate action. Watkins chipped in six assists as well.

Utah played most of the game with a patchwork lineup after injuries limited senior center David Foster to only six minutes and junior guard Chris Hines to just only 13 minutes. However one of their most successful runs occurred late in the game with two point guards on the floor as Storey and Watkins combined for Utah's last eight points of the contest.

The Grizzlies made 17 steals in the game. Pruitt finished with a game-high 16 points and collected seven rebounds. Jack Osborn came one rebound shy of a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing nine boards.

Utah has 10 days to practice before playing its regular-season opener Monday, Nov. 14, against San Diego Christian College. Tip-off from the Huntsman Center is set for 7 p.m.