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Runnin’ Utes cruise to victory over UC Riverside

Transfer Lawson Lovering paces Utah in the squad’s second win to start the season.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) University of Utah basketball coach Craig Smith as Utah hosts Westminster University in an exhibition game at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 01, 2023.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) University of Utah basketball coach Craig Smith as Utah hosts Westminster University in an exhibition game at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 01, 2023.

The Runnin’ Utes started hot and cruised to an easy 82-53 win over UC Riverside at the Huntsman Center on Friday night.

Utah (2-0) had five scorers finish in double figures, led by Lawson Lovering’s 18 points, Branden Carlson’s 16 and Cole Bajema’s 13.

Lovering, a transfer from Colorado, was 7 of 11 from the field. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists.

Utah led 48-13 at intermission, giving coach Craig Smith the chance to go deeper into his roster in the second half.

The Utes went 32 for 66 (48.5%) from the floor.

Riverside was led by Isaiah Moses’ 12 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Utah next travels to South Carolina to take on Wake Forest in the Charleston Classic. That game will tip off at 7 p.m. MT on Nov. 16.

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