Utah Falls To Hawaii In Wooden Legacy Tournament
Nov 22, 2018, 11:48 PM | Updated: Nov 23, 2018, 10:54 am
Utah forward Donnie Tillman (3) faces Hawaii defenders in the quarterfinals of the Wooden Legacy Tournament at Titan Gym in Fullerton, California on Nov. 22, 2018. (Alina Rogers, Utah Men’s Basketball)
(Alina Rogers, Utah Men’s Basketball)
FULLERTON, Calif. – The University of Utah basketball team could not get a rhythm going on offense as they were defeated by the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 90-79 in the quarterfinals of the Wooden Legacy.
Utah freshman Riley Battin led the team with 16 points, including 2-of-4 from downtown. Donnie Tillman added 16 points and 9 rebounds.
After tying a school record against Mississippi Valley State with 17 made three-pointers, the Utes shot just 7-of-26 from deep.
Hawaii was led by Brocke Stepteau with 24 points. Eddie Stansberry added 15 points as Hawaii shot 52 percent from the field and 9-of-24 from the three-point line. Five Rainbow Warriors scored in double figures.
Utah guard Parker Van Dyke (5) looks to score against Hawaii in the quarterfinals of the Wooden Legacy Tournament at Titan Gym in Fullerton, California on Nov. 22, 2018. (Alina Rogers, Utah Men’s Basketball)
Utah shot hit just two of their first six shot attempts five minutes into the game. Timmy Allen scored seven of the Utes 12 points out of the gates.
The Utes shook off the rust and had a 7-0 scoring run to lead by four before Hawaii answered with a 20-8 run to take a 39-31 lead at the end of the first half.
Poor shooting in the first half for Utah as they shot 9-of-24 from the field, 2-of-9 from downtown and 11-of-19 from the free throw line.
Utah trailed by 23 points with 9:28 left in the game before Battin and Both Gach hit three-pointers to bring Utah within 13. During that stretch, Hawaii didn’t score a field goal in over three minutes.
Utah guard Both Gach (11) looks to score against Hawaii in the quarterfinals of the Wooden Legacy Tournament at Titan Gym in Fullerton, California on Nov. 22, 2018. (Alina Rogers, Utah Men’s Basketball)
Vante Hendrix drilled a three-pointer to put Utah within ten points and put the Utes on an 11-2 run.
Hendrix received a technical foul with 1:29 left that costed Utah a chance to complete the comeback.
The Utes fell to 3-2 on the season and will face Grand Canyon in the consolation bracket of the Wooden Legacy on Friday at 7 p.m. The game will stream on ESPN3.
