SALT LAKE CITY – Jordan Loveridge scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Utah in a 84-57 victory over the Lamar Cardinals on Friday night at the Huntsman Center. Love ridge was one of four players scoring in double figure as the Utes balanced their attack in the matchup. Loveridge sat much of the first half having collected his second personal foul 10 minutes into the contest. Ute guard Princeton Onwas chipped in 12 points and nine boards off the bench to lead Utah.
Ute senior Renan Lenz added 12 points and Delon Wright chipped in 10 points for the Utes as they moved their season record to 4-0 winning their second game in this three game tournament. The Global Sports Hoops Showcase is a three day tournament played in three nights at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. This years participants in addition the the hosting Running Utes are Lamar University, Savanna St., and Grand Canyon.
Rhon Mitchell scored 17 points off the bench and Nimrod Hilliard added 16 for the Cardinals now with a record of 1-4 after the loss. Lamar kept the game close in the first half only down six at half time. Utah came out quick in the second half, turning the six point lead into a double-digit margin behind the efforts of Loveridge and Wright.
Utah shot 69 percent from the field in the second half and finished 34-of-63 (54.0 percent) overall. The Utes out-rebounded Lamar 37-31 and held a 46-26 edge in points in the paint. The Cardinals shot just 25-of-61 from the field (41 percent).
An observation on this years Runnin’ Utes is their improved athleticism. Coach K has improved this team every year and it is evident with this group that even with the opponents to start the year, the quickness of the team and the strength will move the Utes from a bottom dweller in the PAC12 basketball standings. I was impressed multiple times by the ability of players like Delon Wright to take contact, draw the foul and actually finish the play with a basket.
Picture Gallery of Utah and Lamar