SALT LAKE CITY — The result was as expected but impact won't be known until the season is well under way. The Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball team kicked off its 2015–16 against what will certainly be its most formidable foe in an 124–70 loss at No. 16 Utah Thursday night in The Huntsman Center.

Ryan Nitz (Rancho Cucamonga/Chaffey College) led the Otters in his first game back after wearing an injury redshirt  last season. He finished with 15 points. Mateo Jones (Victorville/Silverado HS) added 11 points and Evan Zeller (Mission Viejo HS) scored 10.

Six Utes scored in double figures, led by Brandon Taylor with 20. Kyle Kouzma chipped in a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.

"They're good, plain and simple," said CSUMB Head Coach Rob Bishop (@Coach_RBishop) after the game. "They're big and they're really long and they're very athletic. But I liked our effort and our approach. At the end of the day, I like a lot of what I saw tonight. We have a lot upon which to build."

The Otters will finish their exhibition tour of Utah with a trip north to Logan and a visit to Mountain West Conference contender Utah State Friday. Tipoff will be at 6 p.m. Pacific time.