Runnin’ Utes Suffer First Loss Of The Season To Sam Houston, 65-55
Nov 17, 2022, 10:10 PM
(Photo courtesy of Nick Grace, Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Nick Grace, Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY- Thursday night’s game for the Runnin’ Utes was not pretty, suffering their first loss of the season to Sam Houston, 65-55. Despite their best efforts to hang on, Utah continually got in their own way with uncharacteristic turnovers and missed shots that the Bearcats took advantage of. Utah’s last game against Idaho State was a grinder as well, but the Utes came out a little better in that contest.
.@UtahMBB suffers their first loss of the season to Sam Houston, 65-55. Despite hanging in for most of the game, they could never quite get out of their own way. #GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2022
Not much went right for the Utes out of the gate trailing 6-3 16:55 into the game and eventually being down 21-8 by the 8:19 mark. Just as things were looking bleak, something did snap for Utah and they surged back ending the half down 27-23. However, the Utes never could play clean enough to gain the lead and it ultimately cost them.
Game Leaders, Stats For The Utes
As a team, Utah shot 43% from the field, 32% from the three, but one of the biggest killers of the night for the Utes was the free throw line where they only shot 50%. When compared to Sam Houston’s 86% shot rate on free throws, it’s no wonder Utah had problems keeping up.
The Utes also had a tough time keeping possession of the ball turning it over 16 times compared to the Bearcats’ 11 and were out-rebounded 41 to 31.
Worster brings us within one possession of Sam Houston here in the second half with this triple.
📲 https://t.co/3xhme8nlNl#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Yb2SeUp5GM
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 18, 2022
The lone bright spot for Craig Smith and the Utes was junior guard Rollie Worster who led the team in points (14), rebounds (7) and assists (5). Others certainly had their key moments at times, but Worster was the lone, steady force of the night.
Up Next
The Runnin’ Utes will have a few days to reset themselves after a disappointing outing before heading out on the road to Fort Meyers on Monday to play Georgia Tech at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Tip off will be at 4 pm MT and the game can be viewed on FOX Sports 1.
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports
