SALT LAKE CITY — In a decisive victory, Hunter Erickson showcased his shooting skills by sinking 4 of 6 three-point attempts, concluding the game with 18 points. Furthermore, Gabe Madsen contributed significantly with 15 points and seven assists as the Utah Utes secured an 81-63 win over Radford on Saturday evening.

Lawson Lovering also played a key role for Utah (7-2), scoring 12 points in the matchup. The game took an early turn when Truth Harris scored a three-pointer, briefly giving Radford a 3-2 lead just over 18 minutes into the first half. However, Lovering quickly responded with a layup only 36 seconds later, allowing Utah to maintain the lead for the remainder of the game. A flurry of scoring from Erickson, Mason Madsen, and Gabe Madsen, who each netted a three-pointer within a span of 69 seconds, propelled Utah into a 10-point advantage just over five minutes into the contest. Erickson struck again from beyond the arc, extending the lead to 22-7 with 12 minutes left before halftime.

The Highlanders made a brief comeback with an impressive 12-1 run, led by Jarvis Moss, who scored eight points, and Brandon Maclin, who chipped in four. This run narrowed the gap to a single possession around five minutes later, but Radford was unable to close the distance any further.

Utah illustrated its offensive prowess, demonstrating remarkable teamwork with 22 assists on 28 field goals. The team entered the match boasting an impressive average of 20.4 assists per game, ranking first nationally.

For Radford (9-3), the standout performers were Moss and Maclin, scoring 18 and 15 points, respectively. Together, they shot 13 of 23 (57%) from the field, highlighting their efficiency, while the remainder of the team struggled, shooting only 30% (10 of 33). This defeat also marked the end of Radford’s five-game winning streak, closing a chapter on their recent success.