SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Jakob Poeltl scored a career-high 26 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked four shots, helping No. 16 Utah beat Southern Utah 82-71 on Friday night.
The Utes are hoping to build on their Sweet 16 run in March, but came out stagnant against the Thunderbirds in the season opener for each school.
Utah trailed most of the first half as it struggled to defend the rim and couldn't get shots to drop from the perimeter. A 10-0 run early in the second half gave the Utes a 48-38 lead that they clung to down the stretch.