Mastering transition defense became the focal point of Utah's practices leading up to their game with Colorado State. The Utes figured that if the Rams were going to attack them somewhere, it would be the transition game.
"That was a big key in our practice because Colorado State was a good transition team," junior forward Kalee Whipple said. "We drilled that over and over that how they're going to get points is by transition. So we worked on that a lot during practice."
Ultimately, Utah beat the Rams at their own game. On their way to earning a 74-45 victory over Colorado State, the Utes scored 22 fastbreak points and allowed the Rams none.
They also scored 40 points in the paint compared to 12 for Colorado State. And Utah managed 25 points off turnovers versus 13 for the Rams.
Seeing such crisp offensive execution in so many different ways was exactly what coach Elaine Elliott hoped to witness.
"That's what you're after is to be effective numerous ways offensively and tonight was kind of a good combination of that," Elliott said.
Much of that effectiveness on offense boiled down to the standout duo of Whipple and senior guard Morgan Warburton.
Warburton scored 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting and Whipple chipped in 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting. They managed three more field goals and six more points combined than Colorado State did as a team.
"Their percentages are important," Elliott said. "Any kid can score 25 if they take 25 shots. It's important that they take good ones. They have to take hard ones sometimes, because that's the role they also have to play for us. But you don't want them to be taking hard shots time and time again."
Utah hit the floor running offensively from the opening tip. The Utes made their first five baskets — culminating in Kalee Whipple's 3-pointer — to take a 14-2 lead five minutes into the first half.
Things only grew more dominant from there for Utah. When Morgan Warburton drove in for back-to-back layups to give the Utes a 27-5 lead with 10:35 left before halftime, it appeared the door had slammed shut on Colorado State's chances of making the game competitive in any facet.
It helped that the Rams struggled to generate any offense. Colorado State missed its first six shots and converted only 7-of-35 field goal attempts by halftime.
The Rams also struggled to stop Utah from owning every square inch of territory around the basket. By halftime, the Utes already had distinct advantages with points in the paint, rebounds and fastbreak points.
It might be easy to assume that the upset victory Colorado State enjoyed at their expense in last year's MWC tournament played a role in fueling the rout. But Whipple downplayed it being a major factor.
"You think about last year," Whipple said. "But, also, I think a lot of us try to forget last year. It's a new year. We have to kind of move on from that."
Colorado State made a brief rally in a futile attempt to claw out of the gigantic hole the Utes dug for them. The Rams scored eight straight points, culminating in Carine Reimink's jumper, to make it 27-13.
Utah answered with an 11-2 run — capped by another Whipple 3-pointer — to stake out a 38-15 lead with 2:08 to go in the half.
Colorado State never drew closer than 20 points in the second half.
EMAIL: jcoon@desnews.com