The Hive Sports

November 22, 2024 – The University of Utah hosted Utah Tech Friday night, in an in-state, non-conference contest. Gabe Madsen kicked off scoring with a quick layup just seconds into the game. A missed shot and turnover by Utah Tech led to a Jake Wahlin layup by Utah. Gabe Madsen added 2 more to put the Utes up 6-0. Then, it was Mike Sharavjamts who capped off Utah’s 8-0 run with a monster dunk, invigorating the late night crowd at the Huntsman Center! With over 3 minutes into the game, this looked to be a blow-out! However, Utah Tech wasn’t going away that easily. 

After a missed 3-pointer and a missed dunk by the Utes, the Utah Tech Trailblazers finally connected on a Noa Gonsalves three! Utah Tech was awake and playing ball now! They fought their way back w8th solid defense and went on an 11-2 scoring run to take the lead by one-point. The score was 11-10, giving Utah Tech their first (and only) lead of the game. The Utes proceeded to shoot well from the field going on a 9 – 0 run. After that, the game was no longer a contest as Utah Tech had trouble with scoring and fouls. 

The score at halftime was 42 – 26. Utah had a commanding lead which would have been greater had their defense and pass communication not been so sloppy. They apparently fixed their miscommunications during halftime as they went on to a commanding victory. Led in part by Keanu Dawes who scored nine straight points; Including a 3-pointer and a dunk. While Dawes showed great versatility in the second half, he struggled from the line, missing back-to-back free throws. That may be acceptable early on in the season, in a big win, over a much smaller school like Utah Tech. However, come conference play, free throws by every player in close games are where big wins come from! Utah’s bench showed they can back up the starters with confidence! 

Gabe Madsen led all scorers with 19. Keanu Dawes added 14 points and 9 rebounds. Two other Utes scored in double digits. Miro Little led the Utes in rebounds, bringing down 11, as well as dishing out 8 assists.

Utah Tech’s Tennessee Rainwater and Hakim Byrd had 8 points each, leading the Trailblazers. However, in the end, the Utes won on decent shooting (48%). They were also larger and much more physically aggressive in the paint than the Trailblazers. Utah Tech only shot 30% from the field with most of their missed shots coming in the first half.

The final score was 84-53. Utah Tech drops to 4-1 with this loss. While Utah is back in the win column (4 – 1), after a close/tough loss 78-73 to Mississippi State.