Utah sophomores Timmy Allen and Both Gach are the team’s most experienced players, and they performed that way in a 79-74, season-opening victory at Nevada.
Allen posted 23 points and 11 rebounds and Gach scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half as the Utes staged a mild upset in the debut of Nevada coach Steve Alford at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nev.
The Utes led by nine points with 4:07 remaining, only to have Nevada rally. Zane Meeks made a 3-pointer, plus a free throw, cutting the lead to 71-68 with 1:11 left.