Jordan Loveridge returns to action against Carroll College and sinks a three on his first shot back (Photo Rob Gray)
Salt Lake City – The University of Utah plays Carroll College in the final game of the preseason match ups and the last game of 2014. The fighting Saints of Carroll College couldn’t overcome the return of Jordan Loveridge after missing the last seven games to score 14 points as No. 10 Utah pounded Carroll College 85-49.
Loveridge had minor knee surgery to remove a bone spur behind his knee cap and said he felt great and better than he has in a long time. He quickly made an impact when he entered the game at the 17:04 mark and made a 3-pointer on his first shot back in action.
Brekkett Chapman (Photo Rob Gray)
Utah improved their record to 10-2 with the win as Carroll College fell to 10-4. The Fighting Saints were led by Oliver Carr with 11 points and Zach Taylor with 9 points. Carroll made a small run to cut the Utah lead to 61-32 in the second half, but couldn’t come much closer. With just 15 minutes to play, Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak put his subs in.
The Utes were led by Loveridge and both Brekkott Chapman and Chris Reyes scored in double figures with 11 and 10 points. Delon Wright played 23 minutes and scored nine points, had seven assists and 3 steals. Jakob Poeltl was held to nine points and six rebounds in 22 minutes.
Delon Wright (photo Rob Gray)
For Utah, this was their first top 10 ranking since the late 90’s. Three PAC12 teams are ranked with two in the top 10 as Arizona weights in at number 8 while Washington is the other school making the list in the AP poll.
The Utes are in action again Friday as they host USC in the opening of PAC12 play and play again Sunday as they play the UCLA Bruins.
Image Gallery as Utah plays Carroll College
Photos courtesy of Rob Gray for Utah Sporting News and ESPN 700.