David Jenkins Catches Fire In Utah’s Win Over Bethune-Cookman
Nov 15, 2021, 10:09 PM
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – David Jenkins Jr. gave Utah basketball a big spark in the first half that helped the Runnin’ Utes beat Bethune-Cookman 86-55.
The game between Utah and Bethune-Cookman was the campus game of the Sunshine Slam. David Jenkins led the Utes with 25 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 6-for-9 from the three-point line. Branden Carlson nearly had a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Both Gach reached double figures again with 11 points.
Craig Smith is the fifth Utah basketball coach to start his tenure 3-0. The last one was Jerry Pimm during the 1974-75 season.
3-0#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/hrwDnEUd9V
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 16, 2021
David Jenkins Catches Fire In First Half
Utah came out a little sluggish until the first media timeout and then turned things around. They jumped out to a 12-0 run that was led by Dusan Mahorcic and his physical play. Bethune-Cookman stopped the bleeding shortly to cut the deficit to 15-6 before Both Gach scored.
David Jenkins caught fire by hitting five three-pointers on seven attempts near the end of the first half. He had a season-high 20 points at the halftime break as the Utes led the Wildcats 45-23.
Utah shot 44% from the field, made seven of 17 from the three-point line and 12-of-13 at the free throw line. Bethune-Cookman made just seven field goals on 29 attempts for just 24%. They also struggled from beyond the arc, going 1-for-10.
.@WorldStarDave going CRAZY from behind the arc 👀
He's got 15 points with 4/6 3pt
📺 https://t.co/ZoRGxnZXok pic.twitter.com/tFj4mHn03a
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 16, 2021
Utah Coasts To Third Straight Win
Craig Smith played most of his starters for the first 12 minutes of the second half. Eli Ballstaedt came in a little earlier and got some extended minutes. Harrison Creer and Lahat Thioune joined him at the eight-minute mark.
Ballstaedt was productive in his time on the floor. He got a tip in after two of his teammates had opportunities to score. Then he blocked a shot and threw an alley-oop pass to Thioune for a dunk.
The Runnin’ Utes outscored the Wildcats 41-32 in the second half.
Utah improved their record to 3-0 on the season. They will hit the road for the first time under Craig Smith when they head to Daytona Beach, Florida. The Runnin’ Utes will begin the MTE with Boston College on Saturday, November 20 at 3 p.m. MT on FloSports.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
