Jacksonville State Gamecocks ahead Clarence Jackson (25) is double teamed by Utah Utes middle Keba Keita (13) and Lazar Stefanovic (20) on the Jon M. Huntsman Middle in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Laura Seitz, Deseret Information
Returning to non-conference play after going 2-0 in opposition to the Pac-12 final week, the Runnin’ Utes walloped Jacksonville State 99-58 Thursday evening on the Huntsman Middle.
Utah improved to 8-2, whereas JSU dropped to 4-5.
Earlier than the sport, Utah introduced that BYU graduate-transfer Gavin Baxter is medically retiring from basketball after showing in seven video games for the Runnin’ Utes this season.
Listed below are 3 keys to Utah’s simple win:
• The primary key for the Utes was merely displaying up; They jumped out to a 19-0 lead earlier than Jacksonville State scored and just about cruised from there. The Utes made their first seven 3-point makes an attempt and completed with 16 triples, tied for the fourth-most in a single sport in class historical past.
• Jacksonville State missed its first six pictures and didn’t rating till Clarence “Monzy” Jackson made a 3-pointer with 14 minutes, 24 seconds remaining within the first half. The Gamecocks shot 37% from the ground and dedicated 15 turnovers.
• Gabe Madsen led the Utes’ first-half onslaught, scoring 13 factors within the first 20 minutes on 5 of 10 taking pictures from the sphere, together with 3 of 6 from 3-point vary. Utah led 45-23 at halftime, taking pictures 47% from 3-point vary (7 of 15) and 49% from the ground (17 of 35). Lazar Stefanovic scored a career-high 20 factors to steer the Utes, who completed at 56% from the sphere and 57% from 3-point vary (16 of 28).