I think we definitely picked it up a little bit on the defensive end. That's a big part of our team. Whenever we do that, it kind of translates to offense. – Brekkott Chapman
Even though Christmas was less than 48 hours from the time Utah was set to play South Dakota State Tuesday night at the Huntsman Center, Utes head coach Larry Krystkowiak said Monday he wasn't concerned about the contest being a trap game.
The more he got into game preparation, however, the more he realized the challenge the Jackrabbits would pose.
As it turned out, his team gave him little to worry about. Behind good defense, a concerted effort on the glass and some hot hands from beyond the arc, Utah pulled away from the Jackrabbits late in the first half and wound up winning 80-66.
"We got stops and we got out and ran," Krystkowiak said. "We ran as well as we have all year, had some opportunities … it's a win."
Following the Utes' victory over UNLV last Saturday, the first thing Krystkowiak expressed to his team was disappointment that it lost the rebounding battle to the Rebels.
Facing South Dakota State, Utah dominated the boards early. At halftime, the Utes held a 22-13 advantage in the statistic, which helped them build a 45-28 edge on the scoreboard. Utah faltered a bit late but still managed to outrebound the Jackrabbits 37-35 for the game.
"Every game we want to win the rebounding," said guard Delon Wright, who finished tied for the team high alongside Jakob Poeltl with six. "(Krystkowiak) says if we outrebound the other team, we win, so that's one of our main keys to winning, is rebounding."
While cleaning up the glass is a goal for the Utes each outing, they built their lead in a little bit different manner than has been customary as of late. Averaging 6.5 makes from beyond the arc entering the contest, Utah connected on seven in the first half alone.
Freshmen Brekkott Chapman and Isaiah Wright each made two, junior Dakarai Tucker added a pair of his own and sophomore Kenneth Ogbe added one. The twine tickling helped the Utes go on a 15-4 run to close the opening frame.
The secret to success from downtown in Chapman's view?
"I think we definitely picked it up a little bit on the defensive end," said Chapman, who finished with a game-high 22 points, his biggest output of his young career. "That's a big part of our team. Whenever we do that, it kind of translates to offense."
Like rebounding, the Utes cooled off from downtown in the second half, finishing 8-for-23, but the damage had already been done.
In addition to rebounding and 3-point shooting, Utah also came out ahead in assists and blocks while also turning the ball over fewer times than South Dakota State. The Utes finished with 21 assists, four blocks and 11 turnovers.
The Utes will part ways for Christmas celebrations before coming back together Sunday to prepare for next Tuesday's nonconference finale against Carroll College at the Huntsman Center.
"I'm pleased. I think we all just need a little break from each other," Krystkowiak said. "They're probably as tired of me as I am tired. We're ready for four days to enjoy some time with our families and then we can come back focused and get ready for the second part of the season."
Ryan McDonald is a former intern at LDS Church News. He is studying communication at the University of Utah, where he works as the sports editor of the campus newspaper, The Daily Utah Chronicle. He can be reached via email at mcdonald.ryanw@gmail.co