In the third game of the 2024-25 season, the Runnin’ Utes capped off their opening homestand with a commanding 96-65 win over the previously undefeated Queens University Royals on Tuesday night at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Despite getting off to a slower start than the previous two games, the Utes pulled away in the second half for a definitive win. Gabe Madsen once again led the Utes with a 24-point performance, going 14-30 from the field, while Mike Sharavjamts notched a career-high 19 points. Now 3-0, Utah looks ahead to its first Power Four matchup this Sunday at Mississippi State.
The Runnin’ Utes stormed out of the gate against Queens, launching a 17-5 run that had the Royals on their heels from the tip. Sharavjamts led the way with a near flawless first-half performance, pouring in 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and firing up the Huntsman crowd. Despite a pushback from Queens late in the half, Utah held firm, taking a solid 41-31 lead into the break. With momentum on their side, the Utes looked primed to pull away in the second half.
The Utes broke the game open on a decisive 15-4 run that put Queens out of reach. The Utes’ balanced attack kept the Royals on their heels, expanding their game from just the three point shot. The Utes showcased the strength of their starting lineup as Miro Little chipped in a career-best 10 points, while Ezra Ausar notched his seventh career double-double, tallying 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. With the final buzzer, Utah locked down a commanding victory, capping off their opening homestand at 3-0 and building momentum and chemistry which is bound to play a role in their game Sunday.
Takeaways
Though the Utes entered the homestand as favorites in each matchup, their play went beyond simply meeting expectations — setting a high bar for the season ahead. Utah’s depth and team chemistry were evident across all three games, especially for their starters. This level of early-season execution should prepare them for the tougher matchups ahead, giving fans plenty of reason to be optimistic playing in the highly competitive Big 12.
The Runnin’ Utes will play their first away game Sunday, Nov. 17, on the road against Mississippi St in Starkville at 2 p.m.
