Utah Utes guard Rollie Worster shoots the ball
Utah Utes guard Rollie Worster (25) drives against Sacramento State Hornets guard Zach Chappell (4) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
Joe Coles
By Joe Coles

The Utah Runnin’ Utes improved to 2-0 to start the season with an 89-56 win over Sacramento State at the Huntsman Center on Saturday.

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Here are three keys to the Utes’ win:

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Utah Utes guard Both Gach (2) shoots during the game against the Sacramento State Hornets at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Rollie Worster (25) and Sacramento State Hornets guard Akili Evans (30) compete for a rebound at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) goes to the hoop ahead of Sacramento State Hornets center Jonathan Komagum (21) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Rollie Worster (25) drives against Sacramento State Hornets guard Zach Chappell (4) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Sacramento State Hornets guard Chris Holley (24), Utah Utes guard Lazar Stefanovic (20) and Sacramento State Hornets guard Zach Chappell (4) move for a loose ball at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Sacramento State Hornets guard Bryce Fowler (23) drives against Utah Utes guard Lazar Stefanovic (20) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Sacramento State Hornets forward Cameron Wilbon (22) drives against Utah Utes guard Lazar Stefanovic (20) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Bostyn Holt (3) and Sacramento State Hornets guard Teiano Hardee (1) compete for a rebound at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Marco Anthony (10) blocks a shot from Sacramento State Hornets center Hugo Clarkin (32) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) celebrates after the Utes beat the Sacramento State Hornets at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Lahat Thioune (0) celebrates after the Utes beat the Sacramento State Hornets at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith cheers his team as they lead the Sacramento State Hornets at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Both Gach (2) reacts after hitting a three during the game against the Sacramento State Hornets at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Sacramento State Hornets guard William FitzPatrick (14) shoots over Utah Utes guard David Jenkins Jr. (1) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Marco Anthony (10) shoots over Sacramento State Hornets forward Cameron Wilbon (22) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) shoots over Sacramento State Hornets center Hugo Clarkin (32) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Lazar Stefanovic (20) drives past Sacramento State Hornets guard William FitzPatrick (14) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Marco Anthony (10) shoots against Sacramento State Hornets forward Cameron Wilbon (22) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Rollie Worster (25) goes to the hoop against Sacramento State Hornets guard Teiano Hardee (1) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard David Jenkins Jr. (1) and Sacramento State Hornets guard Teiano Hardee (1) compete for a loose ball at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Rollie Worster (25) hits the boards between Sacramento State Hornets guard Akili Evans (30) and guard Teiano Hardee (1) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Riley Battin (11) goes to the hoop against Sacramento State Hornets guard Akili Evans (30) at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith calls players in for a time out during the game against the Sacramento State Hornets at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
  • Utah center Branden Carlson scored a career-high 21 points to lead the Utes. Carlson was 8-for-10 from the field, 3-for-5 from the free-throw line and made two 3-pointers. He added two blocks, two assists and a rebound.
  • Coach Craig Smith has placed emphasis on defense and rebounds, and the Utes delivered on both fronts on Saturday. They outrebounded Sacramento State 58-29 and held the Hornets to 31% shooting.
  • After Sacramento State cut Utah’s lead to as little as six points with 2:48 remaining in the first half, the Utes responded with a 9-0 run to close the half. The run was the key for Utah, which entered halftime up 45-30 and Sacramento State never got closer than 16 in the second half.
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