clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Despite early deficit, Utah roars back and defeats Falcons

Maybe the Utes are getting tougher?

After losing 4 of 5, Utah has rolled off 3 straight victories, including a rather impressive 67-59 win over Air Force Saturday afternoon. It marked the Utes first win over the Falcons at Clune Arena since the 2005 campaign and provided Utah much momentum heading into the second half of the conference season. But it wasn't easy and the way the game played out may just prove Utah is finally getting it together as a team.

Leading the Utes was Luke Nevill with 13 points, while Luka Drca had 12, including some key free throws down the stretch to preserve the Utah victory. For the Falcons, Tim Anderson led with 16 points, but only managed 2 field goals -- with a bulk of his points coming from the line.

Utah shot slightly better from the field, but shot extremely well from outside, connecting on 50% of their threes, compared to only 29% for the Falcons. The three point shooting was key in spurring Utah's comeback and eventually leading them to the victory.

This was a huge victory for Utah. Not only did they win a tough road game, they did it by coming back, something that hasn't really happened on the road over the past few years. Now it's important for the Utes to build on this victory and if they can, it's very possible Utah vaults into the top-half of the conference.

Just the stats...

Player Stats
Air Force Players

MIN PTS FG FG% FT FT% 3PT 3PT% OR DR REB AST STL BLK TO PF
E. Washington (G) 32 11 5-5 100.0 0-0 0.0 1-1 100.0 0 3 3 1 2 0 1 3
T. Anderson (G) 39 16 2-6 33.3 10-12 83.3 2-4 50.0 0 2 2 4 1 1 1 1
A. Johnson (F) 40 11 2-5 40.0 7-10 70.0 0-1 0.0 0 4 4 2 0 0 0 2
M. Holland (F) 9 0 0-1 0.0 0-0 0.0 0-0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
K. Maren (C) 33 8 3-10 30.0 1-2 50.0 1-7 14.3 1 2 3 2 2 0 1 3
A. Henke 31 11 5-9 55.6 0-1 0.0 1-3 33.3 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 4
A. Hood 9 0 0-0 0.0 0-2 0.0 0-0 0.0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 1
E. Kenzik 7 2 1-4 25.0 0-0 0.0 0-1 0.0 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 2

Utah Players

MIN PTS FG FG% FT FT% 3PT 3PT% OR DR REB AST STL BLK TO PF
L. Borha (G) 18 7 2-9 22.2 2-2 100.0 1-3 33.3 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 4
C. Brown (G) 24 6 2-3 66.7 2-2 100.0 0-0 0.0 2 9 11 2 0 0 2 0
T. Kepkay (G) 29 4 2-6 33.3 0-1 0.0 0-2 0.0 0 1 1 3 0 0 3 4
S. Green (F) 32 6 2-4 50.0 0-0 0.0 2-3 66.7 5 5 10 2 2 1 1 4
L. Nevill (C) 32 13 5-6 83.3 3-5 60.0 0-0 0.0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 3
L. Drca 23 12 3-6 50.0 4-6 66.7 2-3 66.7 2 3 5 4 1 0 3 4
J. Bryant 32 17 5-11 45.5 2-2 100.0 5-9 55.6 0 3 3 1 0 0 1 2
K. Tillie 10 2 1-3 33.3 0-0 0.0 0-0 0.0 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 3