Central Arkansas’ tough season-opening road trip continues Thursday night in Salt Lake City as the Bears visit the Utah Utes.
After giving up 15 3-pointers and losing 88-50 to BYU in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Central Arkansas (0-1) has another big challenge against the Utes (1-0) at the Huntsman Center.
Utah drained a school-record 19 3-pointers in a 100-59 blowout victory over visiting Alcorn State on Monday.
The Utes tipped off their season in strong fashion thanks in large part to sharpshooting twin brothers Gabe and Mason Madsen. They combined for 11 3-pointers.
Gabe Madsen hit 8 of 12 shots overall with six treys for 27 points. Mason Madsen, a transfer from Boston College, chipped in with 15 points and five 3-pointers.
“There’s some real synergy there, and those guys are weapons,” Utah coach Craig Smith said after the Madsens made 11 of 19 from beyond the arc. “I mean, you’ve gotta really account for them.”
Utah shot 56.1 percent from the floor, including 19 of 38 from long range, and had assists on 29 of 32 field goals.
The new-look Utes had plenty of complementary performances as well. Keanu Dawes and Ezra Ausar each contributed 13 points and six rebounds, Miro Little totaled seven assists and six points, and Mike Sharavjamts netted 10 points.
“It was obviously fun to start that way, start off on a good note,” Gabe Madsen said. “But, yeah, I love this team a lot, man. It’s just fun the way we play and share the ball.”
Elias Cato, one of only three returning scholarship players, led the Bears with 21 points at BYU. Nehemiah Turner hauled in 11 rebounds, while Brayden Fagbemi dished out seven assists.
“We’ve got good players, but we’re new and we’re young,” first-year Central Arkansas coach John Shulman said. “And to bring them into this environment, it’s not easy. But we’re better for it. One of the officials told me, you have a really good team, and we do have a really good team. I’m proud of our kids, and we just have to get better. We have a starting point.”