The Stanford Cardinal guard Michael Jones (13) takes a jump shot against the Utah Utes at John M Huntsman Arena in Salt Lake City on Thu Feb 29, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Embarking on its final Pac-12 men’s basketball road trip, Stanford traveled to Salt Lake City and dropped a 90-68 decision to Utah Thursday.

It was the fifth consecutive loss for Stanford.

Cole Bajema hit five 3-pointers en route to a game-high 21 points. Gabe Madsen was next for the Utes with 15 points, and Delvon Smith had 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. The Utes outrebounded Stanford 40-29, and Utah never trailed in the game.

Michael Jones led the Cardinal with 20 points, including three 3-pointers Andrej Stojakovic scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Kanaan Carlyle and Maxime Reynaud added 10 points apiece for Stanford (12-16 overall, 7-11 Pac-12).

Field goal shooting The was a mixed bag for Stanford. The Cardinal made 49.1 percent of its total shots, but only 4-of-15 from 3-point range.

The Utes (17-11 overall, 8-9 Pac-12) opened the game with a 15-4 run, but Stanford recovered to make a 12-7 run to pull within 22-16. Reynaud scored twice during that run and Max Murrell scored his first points after missing nine games due to injury.

Utah led 46-27 at halftime. Though the Cardinal’s shooting improved to 58.6 percent (17 of 29) in the second half, they were unable to cut the Utes lead any less than 14 points. Jones scored 10 of his points in the second half, while the Cardinal tallied 23 of its 41 second-half points in the paint.

Josue Gil-Silva scored his first career points for Stanford in the closing seconds.

Stanford’s next stop is Boulder, Colo, on Sunday, when the Cardinal visit the Colorado Buffaloes for a 6 p.m. contest.