Utah Basketball’s Season Ends At NIT Semifinal With Loss To Indiana State
Apr 2, 2024, 7:11 PM
INDIANAPOLIS – The Runnin’ Utes hit the road to take on Indiana State at Hinkle Fieldhouse in the NIT semifinals on Tuesday, April 2.
Utah was very effective at home in their first three rounds of the NIT, punching their ticket to Indianapolis against VCU last weekend. The stakes in Tuesday night’s matchup were higher with the potential to go to the NIT Championship, but the Utes had to get past the Sycamores first and it proved difficult.
The Utes went into the locker room tied with Indiana State after a very competitive first half at 44.
All evens at the break pic.twitter.com/Y9C8zbwqUM
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) April 2, 2024
Out of the half was a different story, however, as Indiana State got hot and separated themselves from the Utes by 12 with just over five minutes left to play, 83-71. Utah battled hard with a particularly heroic effort by Deivon Smith, but ultimately fell short to the Sycamores, 100-90 to end their 2023-24 season.
Season comes to an end for the Runnin’ Utes in the NIT semifinal. Lots to be hopeful about, lots to still be worked on in the coming off season.#Utes https://t.co/UDlDn4uq9y
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) April 3, 2024
Starting NIT Lineups Runnin’ Utes Vs. Indiana State
Up Next For Utah
Utah’s 2023-24 season came to a close with their loss to Indiana State in the NIT semifinal.
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Runnin’ Utes Stats Leaders In The NIT Semifinal
- Scoring Leader: Deivon Smith – 28 points (career high)
- Rebound Leader: Deivon Smith – 7 rebounds
- Assists Leader: Deivon Smith– 6 assists
Deivon Smith was dominant as the Utes’ leading scorer, rebounder, and assister with 28, seven, and six respectively while adding one steal as well.
This triple marks a new Career-High for @sneakgod! 26 and counting‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/n8mf6v44Xu
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) April 3, 2024
Branden Carlson came in second in scoring 17 points while adding five rebounds and one assist.
Cole Bajema, Ben Carlson, and Hunter Erickson wrapped up Utah’s top scorers with 14, 11, and 10 points.
Noteworthy Runnin’ Utes Stats In The NIT Semifinal
The Utah men shot 52% from the field, 59% from the three, and 50% from their trips to the line.
The Utes collected 29 rebounds, 20 assists, three steals and eight turnovers.
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 X, Instagram, and Threads: @BodkinKSLsports
