Utah Utes basketball: Boylen encouraged after victory

This time, the NCAA Division II power couldn't handle the Utes.

A year after losing to Division II's Southwest Baptist in the home opener, the Utah basketball team took care of defending Division II national champion University of Findlay 83-70 Saturday at the Huntsman Center.

Unlike last year's game, this one won't count on the Utes' record, however, since it was Utah's only exhibition game. Still, the game gave the young Utes a chance to learn a lot about themselves and Ute coaches came away happy with the performance.

"I'm encouraged with some things we did — the rebounding game, the blocked shots and the shots challenged around the paint," coach Jim Boylen said. "You're looking at what we're going to be. We're not quite there yet, but defensively we've got a chance to be really good."

Actually the defense wasn't the most impressive thing about the Utes, who seemed to allow a lot of open shots, particularly from 3-point range. However, the Oilers couldn't hit many, finishing with 36 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from 3-point range.

The Utes dominated the inside play with their size and length against the Oilers, who were your typical Division II squad.

Led by senior Kim Tillie, who had 12 rebounds to go with his 18 points, the Utes outrebounded Findlay by a whopping 56 to 32 margin. The Utes also came up with eight blocked shots, led by redshirt freshman Jason Washburn, who had four in about the first four minutes he played off the bench.

Carlon Brown scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including an array of dazzling moves to the basket. Freshman Marshall Henderson scored nine, while center David Foster, Washburn and Jordan Cyphers each added eight points.

Boylen said the story of the day to him was the play of the sophomore class, specifically guards Cyphers and Jace Tavita.

"We've been waiting for those two guys to step into their roles from last year when they were support guys, to contributors," he said. "I thought today they made strides in helping us. Today Tavita was solid and Cyphers was instant offense with length and played very hard."

After falling behind early at 23-18, the Utes rallied as Henderson sank a three, Tillie scored inside and Washburn hit a jump hook, to put the Utes ahead.

They led 40-35 at halftime and couldn't shake the pesky Oilers until midway through the second half when a 21-10 run broke the game open. Greg Avery led Findlay with 21 points, while Jack Smith and Rob Marsden each scored 12

UTE NOTES: The Utes shot 47.8 percent overall, but just 21.7 from 3-point range ... Luka Drca had seven assists, but went 0-for-5 and scored just two points ... The Utes had 19 turnovers to just eight for Findlay ... Former Utes Keith Van Horn and Josh Grant were in the stands among the spotty crowd.

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