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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Luke Nevill scored 24 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead Utah to a 67-55 victory over Weber State on Wednesday night.
It was the second straight victory for the Utes after an 0-3 start that ranked as their worst in 36 years.
The Utes also beat the Wildcats (4-3) for the sixth straight time, in the first meeting between former coaching colleagues Ray Giacoletti and Randy Rahe.
Rahe worked as an assistant for the Utes under Giacoletti the past two seasons, before leaving to become head coach at Weber State. Both men said they were not looking forward to the matchup because they hated trying to beat a close friend.
Dezmon Harris scored 17 points to lead the Wildcats, and David Patten added 15.
But the Wildcats committed 21 turnovers and allowed Nevill to make 11 of 12 shots including his first eight.
Shaun Green added 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Utes before fouling out in the final minute, while Stephen Weigh scored 11 points and Johnnie Bryant had 10.
The Utes led 35-27 at halftime, after forcing 11 turnovers.
The Wildcats shot just 40 percent in the first half, and stayed in the game by making five three-pointers among their eight baskets. They trailed Utah 44-41 after Harris made a three-pointer with 12:43 remaining, but Nevill responded with a turnaround jumper in the post to ignite a 19-4 run that gave the Utes a 63-45 lead with 5:29 left.
