SALT LAKE CITY-Friday, the Utah Runnin’ Utes welcome Northern Arizona to the Huntsman Center for only the second meeting between the programs in their respective histories.
The Utes are 5-5 and continue in their three-game homestand Friday, which will conclude December 29 as they host the #6 Nevada Wolf Pack of the Mountain West Conference.
Monday, Utah downed Florida A&M of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 93-64. In the win against the Rattlers, senior guard Parker Van Dyke scored a career-high 20 points and the Utes shot a season-best 58.8 percent (30 of 51) from the field. The Utes also out-rebounded the Rattlers 38-17, while the +21 margin was their highest margin on the season.
The Lumberjacks represent the Big Sky Conference while the Utes are 156-61 (.719) all-time against teams from this league.
The Utes have won their last seven games against Big Sky Conference schools with the last such loss coming against Sacramento State in 2012-13.
The Utes are currently averaging 73.5 points per game and giving up 72.7 points per contest.
Senior guard Sedrick Barefield continues to lead the Utes with 13.2 points per game.
The 2-6 Lumberjacks are coming off a 79-74 loss to San Jose State and give up 81.8 points per game while scoring 74.8 points a game themselves.
Sophomore forward Bernie Andre is highly effective for the Lumberjacks as he amasses 21 points and 8 rebounds per game.
The Utes won their only prior game against Northern Arizona in history, as they routed the Lumberjacks 85-52 in 1994 at the Huntsman Center.
