Coming after a tough loss to Mississippi State, the Runnin’ Utes got off to hot a start against their in-state rivals, taking down the Utah Tech Trailblazers 84-53 on Friday at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. After putting up only 9 points in his last game, Gabe Madsen got off to a hot start scoring 14 points in the first half of tonight’s game, with 19 in total. The Utes showcased their defense, holding the Blazers to just 34% from the field while also forcing 15 turnovers. Now 4-1 on the season, the Utes are looking to carry over their momentum to the Mountain to Sea showcase which kicks off next week.
The Runnin’ Utes set the tone early against Utah Tech with a commanding 12-4 run midway through the first half, energizing the Huntsman Center crowd. Offensively, the Utes were efficient, with their guards and bigs contributing evenly to a balanced attack. As the half progressed, Utah Tech attempted to close the gap going on their own run, but the Utes maintained their composure and control, heading into halftime with a decisive 41-25 lead.
Even with the halftime lead, the Utes refused to take their foot off the gas. Mason Madsen and Hunter Erickson ignited an 8-0 run with back-to-back three-pointers, quickly pushing Utah’s lead to 28. The Trailblazers had no answer for the Utes’ pace and pressure, allowing the home team to extend its advantage to as many as 32 points midway through the half. Keanu Dawes delivered another impactful performance, flirting with a double-double as he posted 14 points and nine rebounds. Madsen added 12 points, while Mike Sharavjamts contributed 10, providing the Utes with a balanced scoring attack that kept Utah Tech on the back foot throughout the game.
Takeaways
The Utes are 4-0 at the Huntsman at this point in the season. Missing three key players due to injuries, the Utes’ chemistry looked off at times during tonight’s game, which is to be expected with a depleted lineup. Defense was an important part of the victory, which has been the case for Craig Smith’s team this year apart from a lapse in the second half against Mississippi State. Despite some imperfections, Utah showcased its ability to perform under adversity, prioritizing defensive and 3-pt scoring. With this win, the Utes continue to build momentum as they look ahead to the Mountain to Sea Showcase against Mississippi Valley State and Eastern Washington, two games where the Runnin’ Utes are favored to win.
Mississippi Valley State is up first on Tuesday, Nov 26th at the Huntsman Center. Tip off is at 7pm and tickets will be available to students with a UID.
