Utah Runnin’ Utes Shine in Dominant 89-59 Victory Over Florida A&M

Utah Runnin' Utes Dominate Florida A&M: A Strong Showing at the Huntsman Center

Tuesday night at the Huntsman Center was electric as the Utah Runnin’ Utes wasted no time putting Florida A&M in a deep hole. Just eight minutes into the game, Utah led 18-3, setting the tone for a commanding 89-59 victory. The Utes showcased a mix of tough defense, efficient bench scoring, and cohesive post play, leaving little doubt about their dominance.

Head coach Craig Smith acknowledged the strong start, saying, “We started the game with eight straight stops. They scored once or twice, and then we had another kind of big run of getting stops. That allowed us to extend the lead.” Despite some hiccups, such as struggles from the free-throw line, Utah played with confidence from the opening whistle.

Highlights of the Game

1. Stellar Bench Performance

   • The 6-foot-9 junior Mike Sharavjamts, moved to a bench role for the first time this season, responded with an impressive 15 points, including three 3-pointers.
   • Sharavjamts added four assists and a steal, marking a sharp contrast to his recent limited impact. Smith suggested that coming off the bench gave him a fresh perspective, allowing him to thrive.

2. Offensive Fireworks

   • Utah’s offense fired on all cylinders, with an efficient 54.8% shooting from the field, compared to Florida A&M’s 37.7%.
   • Mason Madsen was on fire from beyond the arc, draining five 3-pointers for 15 points.

3. Defensive Domination

   • The Utes forced 18 turnovers, converting those into a whopping 27 points. In contrast, Florida A&M managed just 5 points from Utah’s 10 turnovers.
   • Forward Ezra Ausar emphasized the defensive focus, saying, “Our emphasis was just defense tonight, especially that ball pressure.”

Strong Start, Strong Finish

The Utes opened the game with relentless defense, securing eight straight stops. This intensity carried through as they built a 50-31 lead by halftime, fueled by eight first-half 3-pointers. Sharavjamts shone during this period, scoring in rapid bursts to become the first Ute in double figures.

By halftime, it was clear the Runnin’ Utes were in control. The question shifted from whether they would win to what they could learn about themselves during this blowout victory.

Areas for Improvement

While the game had many positives, free-throw shooting remains a glaring weakness for Utah. The team went just 10-of-24 from the line, including a dismal 6-of-16 in the first half. That’s well below their season average of 66.8%, which already ranks near the bottom nationally.

“We ran a really good offense, attacked the rim, got fouled. We’ve got to make teams pay,” Smith said, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on free-throw opportunities.

Key Stats That Stood Out

• Points in the Paint: Utah dominated inside, outscoring Florida A&M 44-20 in the paint.
• Rebounding Edge: The Utes held a 40-29 advantage on the boards, showcasing their physicality.
• Teamwork: Utah, the national leader in assists, dished out 25 assists on 34 made buckets. Thirteen of those assists came from post players, highlighting their unselfish play.

Post Players Shine

Utah’s frontcourt showed great synergy, with Ausar leading the way with 12 points and Lawson Lovering contributing 10 points and five rebounds. The post players’ ability to pass effectively added another dimension to Utah’s offense.

“I feel like they’re really getting some synergy together, and they’re all good passers,” Smith said, praising the growing chemistry among his big men.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Utah improved to 8-2 and will face a tough nonconference test against Iowa (8-3) on Saturday. This neutral-site matchup in South Dakota will be a crucial opportunity for the Utes to build momentum before opening Big 12 play against Baylor on Dec. 31.

Smith is fully aware of the challenges ahead, saying, “It’s a big game, but from here on out, every opportunity — I mean, we told our guys, it gets real now, you know what? I mean, it gets real now.”

Final Thoughts

The Utes continue to prove they can handle teams they’re expected to beat, but tougher opponents loom on the horizon. The key will be maintaining their defensive intensity and finding solutions to their free-throw woes.

With a balanced mix of veteran leadership and rising talent, Utah looks poised to make noise as they transition into conference play. Tuesday night’s performance was a glimpse of what this team is capable of when they fire on all cylinders. Fans should buckle up — it’s about to get real for the Runnin’ Utes.