Runnin' Utes end nonconference play with 42-point win over Bellarmine

SALT LAKE CITY — The Runnin' Utes let the visiting Bellarmine Knights hang around for longer than expected.

But in the final nonconference game of the season for Utah, it was about all Bellarmine could do to stay in the game. Utah used a late run in the first half to enter the halftime break up by double digits before pulling away for good in the second half for a 85-43 win at the Huntsman Center.

The Knights finished the first half 1-of-9 from the field as Utah's defense locked in to help spur the offensive push.

Bellarmine (4-9) simply couldn't keep up with its limited bench that played nine Wednesday night as Utah (9-2) woke up and built up a 30-point lead in the second half.

Lawson Lovering had 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting and three rebounds in the first half, and finished the night with a game-high 17 points and seven rebounds in arguably his best performance in a Utah uniform this season.

Gabe Madsen continued his sharpshooting ways from behind the arc and hit four 3-pointers on eight attempts to finish with 12 points in only 21 minutes. Hunter Erickson added 10 points, three assists and three steals in the win.

Utah shot 50% from the field and assisted 17 times on 35 made baskets in an all-around effective performance to closeout nonconference play — even if it got a bit casual at times with a comfortable lead. Senior Branden Carlson missed a windmill dunk attempt in transition in the fun, but head coach Craig Smith quickly refocused the team.

Senior guard Deivon Smith, who made his first points of his Utah career in his second game with the program Wednesday, had the highlight moment of the night after Erickson picked off a pass and threw the ball off the backboard for an alley-oop dunk for Smith.

The dunk was a small glimpse into what Smith is expected to provide Utah this season. The versatile guard finished with 4 points, four rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes for the Utes.

Bellarmine had two players score in double figures, with Billy Smith leading the charge with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting for a Knights teams that finished shooting 33% from the field and 23 turnovers, which led to 28 points on the other end for the Utes.

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