SALT LAKE CITY – The Carroll College Fighting Saints fell to the No. 10 Utah Utes 85-49 Tuesday evening in an exhibition game at the Huntsman Center in downtown Salt Lake City.

The Utes scored 12 points before the Saints got on the board. Utah shot 71 percent (22-of-31) in the first half en route to a 54-23 halftime advantage.

"We started the day riding high because we received word last night that our team GPA climbed to 3.1, we had six players make the Dean's List, and we have maintained 100% athletic eligibility for the second year in a row," head coach Carson Cunningham said. "The first half against Utah dampened our mood, but I must say it was a joy to coach our scrappy bunch in the second half."

The Saints battled in the second half, shooting 45.5 percent (10-of-22) and held Utah 31 second half points but it was not enough to cut into the deficit.

Cunningham was impressed with the performance of his team in the second half against a top 10 NCAA D-I team coached by Montana native Larry Krystkowiak.

"Sports have a special ability to teach us this simple but profound lesson: whether on the hardwood or in life, when you're down, fight on," Cunningham said. "I was inspired by our guys' ability to do so, and, in case anybody's wondering, Utah is really good. Coach Krystkowiak is doing a tremendous job there."

Oliver Carr led the Saints with 10 points and Zach Taylor and Utah native Nick Williams scored nine points each.

Thirteen Carroll players got on the court.

The Saints are back in action Sunday when they welcome the University of Calgary for men's and women's basketball at the PE Center. The women take the court at 1 p.m. and the men tipoff at 3 p.m.