Utah guard Marco Anthony (10) is defended by Stanford guard Michael O’Connell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. Darren Yamashita, AP
Jay Drew
By Jay Drew
Jay has covered sports in Utah for more than 30 years and has been writing for the Deseret News since 2019.

Utah heated up in the second half after a miserable first half on offense and claimed their first true road win of the season on Thursday night, knocking off Stanford 60-56 at Maples Pavilion in Stanford, California.

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Stanford forward James Keefe shoots over Utah center Branden Carlson (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP
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Stanford forward Harrison Ingram (55) shoots against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP
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Stanford guard Isa Silva (1) dribbles while defended by Utah guard Gabe Madsen (55) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP
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Stanford forward Jaiden Delaire (11) shoots over Utah guard Rollie Worster (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP
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Stanford forward James Keefe (22) drives against Utah center Branden Carlson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP
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Utah guard Marco Anthony (10) is defended by Stanford guard Michael O'Connell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP
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Utah guard Both Gach (2) is defended by Stanford guard Michael O'Connell (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP
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Stanford forward Harrison Ingram is defended by Utah guard Both Gach during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP
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Stanford forward James Keefe (22) shoots over Utah center Branden Carlson (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP
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Stanford forward Harrison Ingram (55) shoots over Utah guard Rollie Worster (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita) | Darren Yamashita, AP

Here are 3 keys to Utah’s breakthrough win:

• Gabe Madsen went 3 of 3 from 3-point range, including a huge triple with 1:45 left that put the Utes ahead for the first time since midway through the first half, and Utah held on for the big Pac-12 road win.

• Utah overcame a sluggish first half on offense and a 29-21 deficit at the break to play much better in the second half. Both Gach and Branden Carlson scored 13 points apiece to lead Utah to its third Pac-12 win this season.

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• The Utes were 1 of 9 from 3-point range in the first half, but finished a respectable 6 of 16 from deep. Stanford was 8 of 30 from 3-point range.

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