Freshmen fill in for injured center

LARAMIE, Wyo. — With starting center Luke Nevill sitting behind the bench in street clothes because he injured his right hip in practice Monday, it was left to a couple of freshmen to pick up the slack for the Utes Wednesday night against Wyoming.

Daniel Deane and David Foster combined for 14 points and eight rebounds, close to Nevill's season averages of 17 and eight, and they earned praise from their coach afterward.

"For two freshmen they did a really good job," Ute coach Ray Giacoletti said. "They played their butts off tonight. They had eight turnovers, but they were playing a lot of minutes."

Deane started in the middle, but as he usually does, got in foul trouble, giving Foster more minutes.

Deane said playing center was a "totally different position" for him in the offense because he usually plays the big-forward spot.

"I just wanted to limit their drives and box out and rebound," he said.

Although the Utes ended up with another loss, this one didn't feel as bad, at least to Deane.

"We're never satisfied with a loss, but this didn't leave a terrible taste that we've had after quite a few games this season," Deane said.

BORHA HAS CAREER GAME: Lawrence Borha played a career-high 36 minutes and tied his career high with 13 points, while handing out a career-best seven assists Wednesday night.

"We really need Lawrence to play with that freeness," Giacoletti said.

Borha, who had scored just 16 points in his previous seven games, didn't start but entered at the 15:45 mark and never went out. After handing out five assists in the first half, he started the second half and made the Utes' first three baskets.

However, he stopped going to the basket and didn't score again until he stole the ball and went in for a dunk with 1:10 left to cut the lead to 79-74.

Even though he was pleased with Borha's overall play, Giacoletti wants him to go to the basket more.

"We've got to have somebody else penetrate the ball, and a good example was what (Wyoming's) two guards did," Giacoletti said. "We tell him to 'do what you do well."'

GAME NOTES: After the loss, Giacoletti is now 5-2 against Wyoming in his three years.... The Utes beat the Cowboys 62-60 in the earlier meeting in Salt Lake.... Chris Grant got his third start of the season in place of Luka Drca but only played four minutes, getting two assists.... Misha Radojevic didn't make the trip because of one-game suspension for an undisclosed rules violation.... The Utes had 19 assists for their 28 baskets.... Wyoming won the rebound battle 26 to 25.... The Cowboys sank 22 of 31 free throws compared to Utah's 16 of 21.... Wyoming center Daaron Brown re-sprained his ankle early in the second half after scoring nine points.

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