Deivon Smith finishes with triple-double as Runnin' Utes fall to Cardinal on the road

STANFORD, Calif. — Offense came at a premium Sunday afternoon for the Runnin' Utes ... until the last few minutes of the game.

Utah traded baskets with Stanford for much of the first half before going on a scoring drought that included shooting 1-of-9 in the last few minutes, and Stanford pulled away for a 2-point halftime lead.

It was enough to jumpstart the Cardinal to a 12-point lead midway through the second half as Utah shot around 36% for much of the half. Utah managed to cut the lead to 2 late, but the Cardinal held strong to pull away for a 79-73 win at home.

Stanford controlled a 10-point lead with eight minutes left in regulation before Utah made a comeback and started to consistently hit shots. Three minutes later, Gabe Madsen hit a 3-pointer to cut the Cardinal lead to 2, and the Utes had life.

The two teams traded four consecutive 3-pointers, but Utah couldn't get over the hump and was forced to play the foul game in hopes to cut into the lead more. Stanford, though, finished the game 7-of-8 from the free-throw line to stay in front.

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud finished with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Brandon Angel added 16 points and seven rebounds as the Cardinal shot 41% from the field but 38% from 3-point range on 10 made triples.

Despite a poor shooting afternoon, Utah eventually managed to finish the game shooting 44% from the field and 41% from 3-point range on 13 makes, but had to do it with a limited roster.

Starting point guard Rollie Worster was not available Sunday after suffering an injury before the game, and then starting center Lawson Lovering left the game in the first few minutes after suffering an injury that forced to him to limp off the field. As a result, Utah head coach Craig Smith was forced to mix up his lineups in an effort to combat Stanford.

Utah's Deivon Smith, who got his first start of the season in Worster's absence, finished with a triple-double and was a key component to Utah's late comeback. The senior guard finished with 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Branden Carlson added 16 points and six rebounds, and Madsen finished with 14 points, including four made 3-pointers, and five rebounds.

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