SALT LAKE CITY — Utah used a second-half rally to tie the game but couldn't ever grab the lead in falling to No. 14 Arizona 94-82 Thursday night at the Huntsman Center in the Utes' conference home opener.

The turning point: After Utah tied the game at 77-all with 3:45 to play, Arizona went on an 11-0 run over the next 2:14 to create some breathing room.

3 keys:

  • Arizona had a 46-23 edge in rebounding, leading to a 23-9 advantage in second-chance points.
  • The Wildcats outshot the Utes 50 percent to 44.1 percent from the field, though Utah hit 9 of 14 from 3-point range in the second half to get back in the game.
  • Arizona had a 44-26 edge in points in the paint.

Utah almanac: 10-4 (2-1 Pac-12), lost 1 The hero: Deandre Ayton had a double-double for Arizona with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while the Utes were paced by Sedrick Barefield with 23 points, including 20 in the second half.

Next up: vs. Arizona State (12-2, 0-2), Sunday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m. MST

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On deck: at UCLA (11-4, 2-1), Thursday, Jan. 11, 9 p.m. MST

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