Utah Utes Make History with 3-Point Shooting Spectacular Against Central Arkansas
In a dazzling display of long-range precision, the Utah Utes dominated Central Arkansas with a commanding 98-63 victory on Thursday night in Salt Lake City, matching their school record of 19 three-pointers in a single game.
Gabe Madsen achieved a career milestone by surpassing 1,000 points, leading all scorers with 25 points. His remarkable performance included six three-pointers, marking his second consecutive game with such accuracy. Not to be outdone, his twin brother Mason Madsen contributed 15 points, all from beyond the arc.
The Utes’ offensive showcase began early, as they quickly built a 16-4 lead in the first seven minutes. Their aggressive defense held Central Arkansas to just 18 points in the first half, while their sharp shooting helped them establish a commanding 45-18 lead at halftime.
Mike Sharavjamts delivered an outstanding all-around performance, nearly achieving a triple-double with 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. His court vision was on full display, including a highlight-reel no-look pass to Jake Wahlin for an effortless basket. Perhaps most impressively, Sharavjamts managed this performance without committing a single turnover.
“Craig Smith finally has the roster to fully embrace the Runnin’ Utes nickname,” noted one courtside observer, as Utah’s high-energy style overwhelmed the Bears from start to finish.
The home team’s offensive efficiency was remarkable, with 23 assists on 30 made baskets, showing their commitment to unselfish play. The Utes shot 46.2 percent from the field and dominated the rebounding battle 51-35, with Keanu Dawes grabbing 11 rebounds off the bench.
For Central Arkansas (0-2), the night proved challenging as they shot just 31.3 percent from the field. Layne Taylor led the Bears with 15 points, while Brayden Fagbemi added 13 points, but their efforts weren’t enough to keep pace with Utah’s explosive offense.
The victory marks Utah’s second straight impressive showing, following their season-opening 100-59 win over Alcorn State. In both games, the Utes have demonstrated their three-point shooting prowess, attempting a remarkable 50 shots from beyond the arc in this latest victory.
The win also represented a historic milestone for the Utah program, marking their 1,900th victory. As the Utes (2-0) continue their season, their three-point shooting accuracy and unselfish play style suggest they could be a formidable force in the upcoming Big 12 competition.
For Central Arkansas, this marked their second loss in three days to a Big 12 team in the Beehive State, following their season-opening defeat at BYU. Despite the challenging start to their season, the Bears will look to bounce back as they continue their non-conference schedule.
Utah’s next challenge will be to maintain this impressive offensive rhythm while continuing to play the stifling defense that has helped them start the season with two dominant victories.