Thursday, November 5
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
Towson
11/3/2026 6:22 PM | Men's Basketball
The Utah men’s basketball team plays host to the Towson Tigers on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. (MT).
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah men's basketball team continues its five-game homestand to open the 2026-27 campaign this Thursday, Nov. 5, as it welcomes in the Towson Tigers for a 7 p.m. (MT) tip-off inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Chris Sylvester will once again have the call alongside former Utah assistant coach Joe Cravens on ESPN+.
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A NIGHT OF FIRSTS
With opening night all wrapped up, Utah's entire starting line-up of Alec Anigbata, Malek Gomma, Jackson Holcombe, Trey Campbell and Taison Chatman all made their Utes debut. In addition, Zati Loubaki, Jaxon Johnson, TJ Burch and Babacar Faye all suited up for the first time as a Ute.
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WELCOME BACK, BABA!
Utah forward Babacar Faye finally made his Utah debut in the season-opener, checking into a game for the first time since Dec. 14, 2024, when he last played at Western Kentucky before getting injured. The Dakar, Senegal, native suffered a season-ending injury ahead of the 2025-26 season was recently cleared to play before making his Runnin' Ute debut.
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SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Towson, who is led by longtime veteran coach Pat Skerry, dropped their season-opener at Santa Clara 89-70 this past Monday. Zion Stanford and Jaquan Womack led the team with 15 points apiece. Womack also recorded a double-double behind 12 rebounds for the Tigers. Jon Barton also chipped in with 10 points in the loss. Chike Ndefo did work on the glass despite coming off the bench, pulling down 8 boards to go with 3 points in just 18 minutes of action. Towson will have a familiar face across the bench in redshirt sophomore Ben Rosenborough – who played against the Utes with San Jose State last year in the season-opener. The Bay Area native scored 8 points in 18 minutes of action against Utah off the bench last year.
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CLAWED BACK
Utah erased a 17-point deficit on Monday against Long Beach State to secure the 66-63 victory in the 2026-27 season-opener. The 17-point deficit was tied for the fourth-largest comeback – which occurred back on Jan. 3, 2019, at Arizona State (96-86).
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LAST TIME OUT
Monday's season-opener was a tale of two halves for Utah as it sneaked out with a 66-63 victory over Long Beach State to start the 2026-27 campaign. Trey Campbell led the way with a team-high 20 points on 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. Jackson Holcombe nearly had a double-double to start the year, posting 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. Alec Anigbata chipped in with 10 points while Malek Gomma nearly had a double-double of his own with 7 points and 11 rebounds.
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Utah took the early lead, but Long Beach State took the lead midway through the first frame. The Beach got hot from beyond the arc, knocking down 6-of-13 triples and coupled it with 10 first-half turnovers by the Utes that led to an 18-5 edge in points off turnovers to send Utah into the break down 40-28.
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A tightened-up defense and ball security in the second half saw the Utes hold Long Beach State to just .318 shooting from the floor. The Utes dominated LBSU in the paint to the tune of a 22-6 edge to help them outscore Long Beach State 38-23 in the second frame to secure the 66-63 victory. Â
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UP NEXT
Utah welcomes in a familiar foe next Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Weber State. Chris Sylvester will once again have the call on ESPN+ while former Runnin' Utes assistant coach Joe Cravens serves as the analyst. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. (MT) as the Utes look to make it two in a row against the Wildcats.
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LOOKING AHEAD
The Runnin' Utes are set to close out their home-and-home series with a former Pac-12 foe Washington on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Huskies return to the Jon M. Huntsman Center for the first time since Dec. 31, 2025, and also the first time former Runnin' Utes assistant coach Andy Hill returns to SLC since his departure. Chris Sylvester and Joe Cravens will once again have the call on ESPN+ as the Utes and Huskies square off at 5 p.m. (MT).
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For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram. Fans can also stay connected on their mobile devices or tablets with the Utah 360 app.
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A NIGHT OF FIRSTS
With opening night all wrapped up, Utah's entire starting line-up of Alec Anigbata, Malek Gomma, Jackson Holcombe, Trey Campbell and Taison Chatman all made their Utes debut. In addition, Zati Loubaki, Jaxon Johnson, TJ Burch and Babacar Faye all suited up for the first time as a Ute.
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- Collegiate Debut: Anigbata & Johnson
- First Collegiate Basket/Points: Anigbata & Johnson
- First Division I Points: Loubaki
WELCOME BACK, BABA!
Utah forward Babacar Faye finally made his Utah debut in the season-opener, checking into a game for the first time since Dec. 14, 2024, when he last played at Western Kentucky before getting injured. The Dakar, Senegal, native suffered a season-ending injury ahead of the 2025-26 season was recently cleared to play before making his Runnin' Ute debut.
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SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Towson, who is led by longtime veteran coach Pat Skerry, dropped their season-opener at Santa Clara 89-70 this past Monday. Zion Stanford and Jaquan Womack led the team with 15 points apiece. Womack also recorded a double-double behind 12 rebounds for the Tigers. Jon Barton also chipped in with 10 points in the loss. Chike Ndefo did work on the glass despite coming off the bench, pulling down 8 boards to go with 3 points in just 18 minutes of action. Towson will have a familiar face across the bench in redshirt sophomore Ben Rosenborough – who played against the Utes with San Jose State last year in the season-opener. The Bay Area native scored 8 points in 18 minutes of action against Utah off the bench last year.
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CLAWED BACK
Utah erased a 17-point deficit on Monday against Long Beach State to secure the 66-63 victory in the 2026-27 season-opener. The 17-point deficit was tied for the fourth-largest comeback – which occurred back on Jan. 3, 2019, at Arizona State (96-86).
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| DEFICIT | DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT |
| 22 | Feb. 9, 2019 | at UCLA | 92-92 |
| 19 | Nov. 21, 2022 | vs. Georgia Tech | 68-64 |
| 17 | Nov. 2, 2026 | Long Beach State | 66-63 |
| 17 | Jan. 3, 2019 | at Arizona State | 96-86 |
| 16 | Dec. 4, 2019 | BYU | 102-95 (OT) |
| 15 | Dec. 10, 2013 | Idaho State | 74-66 |
LAST TIME OUT
Monday's season-opener was a tale of two halves for Utah as it sneaked out with a 66-63 victory over Long Beach State to start the 2026-27 campaign. Trey Campbell led the way with a team-high 20 points on 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. Jackson Holcombe nearly had a double-double to start the year, posting 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. Alec Anigbata chipped in with 10 points while Malek Gomma nearly had a double-double of his own with 7 points and 11 rebounds.
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Utah took the early lead, but Long Beach State took the lead midway through the first frame. The Beach got hot from beyond the arc, knocking down 6-of-13 triples and coupled it with 10 first-half turnovers by the Utes that led to an 18-5 edge in points off turnovers to send Utah into the break down 40-28.
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A tightened-up defense and ball security in the second half saw the Utes hold Long Beach State to just .318 shooting from the floor. The Utes dominated LBSU in the paint to the tune of a 22-6 edge to help them outscore Long Beach State 38-23 in the second frame to secure the 66-63 victory. Â
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UP NEXT
Utah welcomes in a familiar foe next Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Weber State. Chris Sylvester will once again have the call on ESPN+ while former Runnin' Utes assistant coach Joe Cravens serves as the analyst. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. (MT) as the Utes look to make it two in a row against the Wildcats.
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LOOKING AHEAD
The Runnin' Utes are set to close out their home-and-home series with a former Pac-12 foe Washington on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Huskies return to the Jon M. Huntsman Center for the first time since Dec. 31, 2025, and also the first time former Runnin' Utes assistant coach Andy Hill returns to SLC since his departure. Chris Sylvester and Joe Cravens will once again have the call on ESPN+ as the Utes and Huskies square off at 5 p.m. (MT).
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For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram. Fans can also stay connected on their mobile devices or tablets with the Utah 360 app.
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