In its second game of the 2024-25 season, the Runnin’ Utes tipped off against the Central Arkansas Bears at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday night at the Huntsman Center. The Utes lit up the court with a record-tying performance from beyond the arc, knocking down 19 3-pointers in a dominant 98-63 win. Highlighting the night, senior guard Gabe Madsen became the 42nd player in Utes history to join the 1,000-point club, adding to the excitement for fans eager to see Utah’s firepower as they gear up for Big 12 competition.
The Runnin’ Utes came out firing in the first half, fueled by their hot shooting. Point guard Miro Little found his rhythm early, bouncing back from a tough outing against Alcorn State with five quick points to spark Utah’s offense. The Utes were red-hot from beyond the arc, knocking down 10 first-half threes, including three apiece from the Madsen brothers. Despite missing starting center Lawson Lovering for the second straight game, Utah dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Bears and establishing control in the paint. With three players scoring nine points each, the Utes carried a commanding 45-18 lead into the locker room.
The second half saw Gabe Madsen etch his name into Utah basketball history, becoming the 42nd player to eclipse 1,000 career points. The Utes’ offense remained in high gear, and their biggest lead of the night came after an 11-0 run that stretched their advantage to 64-26. However, Utah eased off the gas in the final minutes, allowing Central Arkansas to close the gap as the game finished with a score of 98-63. Starting forwards Mike Sharavjamts and Ezra Ausar both contributed 13 points, helping the Utes maintain their dominant performance throughout the second half.
Takeaways
The Utes continue to prove that their three-point offense is a force to be reckoned with. They also improved on the boards compared to Tuesday’s game, which was crucial with Lawson Lovering still sidelined. The transfer forward duo of Ausar and Sharavjamts demonstrated growing chemistry with the team, each finishing with 13 points. The closer-than-expected final score was a result of Utah letting the Bears climb back into the game, a slip-up that won’t be acceptable in Big 12 play. Once again, the MUSS brought unmatched energy, fueling the crowd and the team throughout the night.
The Runnin’ Utes will return to action next Tuesday, Nov. 12, as they face Queens at 7 p.m. in the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Students can attend for free by showing their UIDs at the gate.
