Once again, turnovers were a problem as the Utes committed 16 while forcing just six. They were outscored in points off of turnovers 24-8.
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — It was another rough night in paradise for the University of Utah basketball team as UNC Asheville broke open a close game with a 12-0 run in the second half and then cruised to an 87-65 win over the Utes on Saturday night in the seventh place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
The loss gave the Utes an 0-3 tournament record and are now 1-5 overall this season. Utah has now lost seven straight games in an in-season tournament with their last win coming two years ago over Illinois in the Las Vegas Invitational.
After three games in three nights, the Utes don't play again until Saturday and there will be plenty to work on in practice.
"It will almost seem like training camp again" said Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak. "The coaches have a lot to work on and the players do, as well."
Jason Washburn's slam dunk with left pulled the Utes to within five points at 53-48, but three consecutive turnovers led to a pair of free throws by Asheville's Matt Dickey, a Jeremy Atkinson lay-up and a 3-pointer by Dickey. Chris Stephenson closed out the twelve point run with a three point play before Chris Hines ended it with the second of his three treys in the game, but the Utes never got closer than 14 points the rest of the game.
"We gave them too many open looks in our zone defense," said Krystkowiak.
After limiting Dickey to three points in the first half, the Big South Conference preseason player of the year scored 12 points in the second half to lead the Bulldogs. "That is the sign of a good player" added Krystkowiak. "He didn't force anything in the first half, but part of that was Chris Hines and Cedric Martin doing a good job on him defensively."
Utah led 14-13 in the first half before UNC Asheville went on a 21-4 run to build a 32-18 advantage before the Utes scored nine consecutive points, six by Jason Washburn, to pull back to within five.
"Our guards did a great job of getting me the ball in a good spot to score," said Washburn, who shared game honors with Josh Watkins with 21 points each. Washburn also pulled down six rebounds. "We were playing well, but everyone started to get a little selfish out there and we went away from our game plan that was working well."
J. P. Primm led four Bulldogs in double figure scoring with 20 points, while Jeremy Atkinson added 16 points for UNC Asheville (3-4).
Once again, turnovers were a problem as the Utes committed 16 while forcing just six. They were outscored in points off of turnovers 24-8.
EXTRA POINTS: With his 21 points, Watkins has now led or shared the team lead in scoring in all six games this season. … The Utes are now off until this Saturday when they travel to Fresno State, which will be followed by four straight home games. … Undefeated Harvard claimed the championship of the Battle 4 Atlantis with a 59-49 win over Central Florida. Crimson forward Keith Wright was named the tournament MVP, as he scored 30 points on 11 of 16 field goal attempts and was third in rebounding with 22. Connecticut took third place with a 78-76 overtime victory over Florida State. The College of Charleston claimed fifth place by routing Massachusetts 85-61.