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Wednesday, December 20
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
9-2,0-0Pac-12
85
vs
43
Bellarmine
4-9,0-0ASUN
1
2
F
Bellarmine
26
17
43
Utah
37
48
85
Team Stats
BU
Utah
FG%
.327
.500
3FG%
.294
.407
FT%
.500
.667
RB
33
42
TO
23
11
STL
4
14
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballPhoto by: Bryan Byerly/Utah Athletics
#RV/RV Runnin' Utes Pummel Bellarmine to Close Out Non-Con play 9-2
12/20/2023 10:28 PM | Men's Basketball
The #RV/RV Utah men’s basketball team crushed Bellarmine in its final non-conference game 85-43.
SALT LAKE CITY – The #RV/RV Utah men's basketball team closed out non-conference play with a bang on Wednesday night, thumping the visiting Knights of Bellarmine 85-43 inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
With the win, Utah finishes the non-conference slate 9-2 – which would be the most wins since going 9-3 during the 2019-20 season. The 43-point margin of victory was the first time Utah won by 40-plus points since defeating Jacksonville State last season 99-58.
First half action was a little sloppy for both teams with the lead changing five times before the Runnin' Utes settled in out of the 6:07 media break when Cole Bajema rattled in a triple to give Utah the 26-24 lead.
The Utah defense finally woke up and held Bellarmine to just 1-of-9 shooting in the final 5:30 minutes of the half while going on a 12-2 run after Bajema's 3-pointer. Lovering had a great first 20 minutes of play, scoring a team-high 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting to help Utah take the 37-26 lead into halftime.
That defense carried over in the second half as Utah put the clamps on the Knights (4-9), holding them to just 17 points with six made field-goals. Meanwhile, Utah's offense erupted for 48 points behind 8-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc.
Midway through the second frame Deivon Smith picked up his first basket as a Ute at the 11:18 mark on a short jumper in the paint and followed with a steal on the other end that led to a two-handed jam from Ben Carlson. Smith also got the crowd on their feet shortly after when Hunter Erickson got a steal and lobbed an alley-oop pass off the backboard for him to throw down.
With the large lead, the Runnin' Utes were able to unload their bench with the game lop-sided in favor of Utah with Jake Wahlin, Jayden Teat and Brandon Haddock all getting playing time.
Lovering finished with a game-high 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. Gabe Madsen chipped in with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc – three of which came in succession to open the second half and break open the game for Utah. Erickson also added 10 points, 3 assists and 3 steals while Carlson missed out on a double-double with 9 points and 9 rebounds off the bench.
BY THE NUMBERS
Utah forced 23 turnovers and converted them into a 28-7 advantage in points off turnovers … Utah also turned 10 offensive boards into a 12-2 edge in second-chance points … the Utes had a 15-0 advantage in fast-break points as well thanks to their season-high 14 steals – which was the most steals in a single-game since swiping 17 against Evergreen State back on Nov. 8, 2013.
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Utes will now take a short holiday break before returning to the court on Friday, Dec. 29, to start the final season of the Pac-12 Conference against Washington State. J.B. Long and Casey Jacobsen will have the call on Pac-12 Networks as Utah and Washington State square off at 6:30 p.m. (MT).
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram.
With the win, Utah finishes the non-conference slate 9-2 – which would be the most wins since going 9-3 during the 2019-20 season. The 43-point margin of victory was the first time Utah won by 40-plus points since defeating Jacksonville State last season 99-58.
First half action was a little sloppy for both teams with the lead changing five times before the Runnin' Utes settled in out of the 6:07 media break when Cole Bajema rattled in a triple to give Utah the 26-24 lead.
The Utah defense finally woke up and held Bellarmine to just 1-of-9 shooting in the final 5:30 minutes of the half while going on a 12-2 run after Bajema's 3-pointer. Lovering had a great first 20 minutes of play, scoring a team-high 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting to help Utah take the 37-26 lead into halftime.
That defense carried over in the second half as Utah put the clamps on the Knights (4-9), holding them to just 17 points with six made field-goals. Meanwhile, Utah's offense erupted for 48 points behind 8-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc.
Midway through the second frame Deivon Smith picked up his first basket as a Ute at the 11:18 mark on a short jumper in the paint and followed with a steal on the other end that led to a two-handed jam from Ben Carlson. Smith also got the crowd on their feet shortly after when Hunter Erickson got a steal and lobbed an alley-oop pass off the backboard for him to throw down.
With the large lead, the Runnin' Utes were able to unload their bench with the game lop-sided in favor of Utah with Jake Wahlin, Jayden Teat and Brandon Haddock all getting playing time.
Lovering finished with a game-high 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. Gabe Madsen chipped in with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc – three of which came in succession to open the second half and break open the game for Utah. Erickson also added 10 points, 3 assists and 3 steals while Carlson missed out on a double-double with 9 points and 9 rebounds off the bench.
BY THE NUMBERS
Utah forced 23 turnovers and converted them into a 28-7 advantage in points off turnovers … Utah also turned 10 offensive boards into a 12-2 edge in second-chance points … the Utes had a 15-0 advantage in fast-break points as well thanks to their season-high 14 steals – which was the most steals in a single-game since swiping 17 against Evergreen State back on Nov. 8, 2013.
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Utes will now take a short holiday break before returning to the court on Friday, Dec. 29, to start the final season of the Pac-12 Conference against Washington State. J.B. Long and Casey Jacobsen will have the call on Pac-12 Networks as Utah and Washington State square off at 6:30 p.m. (MT).
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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