Utah Dominates UC Riverside in 82-53 Victory

Strong first half performance led by Lawson Lovering and Branden Carlson; Five Utah scorers finish in double figures

Utah Utes dominated the game against UC Riverside with a massive first half, leading to an 82-53 victory. Lawson Lovering and Branden Carlson were the leading scorers with 18 and 16 points respectively.
Utah had five scorers finish in double figures, including Cole Bajema with 13 points, Ben Carlson with 11 points, and Keba Keita with 10 points. Rollie Worster also contributed with seven assists and six points.
Utah used multiple double-digit scoring streaks to surge ahead by as many as 37 points before clearing the bench for most of the second half. The Utes led 48-13 at halftime, the lowest total allowed in any half in Utah coach Craig Smith's three seasons.
UC Riverside struggled throughout the game, shooting only 30.8 percent as a team compared to Utah's 48.5 percent. Isaiah Moses led UC Riverside with 12 points and Benjamin Griscti added 10.
Utah decisively won the rebounding battle 52-30, with Lovering and Keita each grabbing seven boards. The Utes will next face Wake Forest at the Charleston Classic in South Carolina.