3 keys in the Utah Utes’ 71-56 win over the Washington State Cougars
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Utah center Branden Carlson dunks during the first half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. Young Kwak, Associated Press
Utah dominated on both ends of the court in picking up a 71-56 road victory over Washington State at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Washington, on Thursday.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Defense and breaking a long streak
The Utes held Cougars to 37.7% shooting and forced 15 turnovers in a strong defensive effort. Washington State’s Isaac Bonton, who entered the game averaging 18.9 points per contest, was held to just four points on 1-of-8 shooting.
Utah (6-6, 3-5 Pac-12) broke its 13-game road losing streak in Pac-12 play in the process, while handing the Cougars their second straight home loss — and fourth straight overall — after Washington State (9-5, 2-5 Pac-12) won its first eight home games.
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Utah guard Alfonso Plummer shoots next to Washington State center Efe Abogidi during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah forward Timmy Allen, left, shoots over Washington State forward Andrej Jakimovski during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah guard Rylan Jones, front, tries to get around Washington State guard Isaac Bonton during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah forward Riley Battin (21) shoots over Washington State center Efe Abogidi (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State guard Noah Williams shoots near Utah forward Riley Battin during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State center Efe Abogidi shoots over Utah center Branden Carlson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State center Efe Abogidi shoots during the second of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Utah in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah forward Timmy Allen, back, shoots over Washington State forward Andrej Jakimovski during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State guard TJ Bamba (5) shoots in front of Utah center Branden Carlson (35) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State forward Tony Miller (32) grabs a rebound next to forward DJ Rodman (11) during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Utah in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah guard Pelle Larsson passes the ball while pressured by Washington State guard Myles Warren during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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The Utah bench cheers during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak, left, speaks with forward Timmy Allen during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State coach Kyle Smith, center, talks to the team during a break in play in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Utah in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
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Washington State guard Noah Williams gets control of the ball after a scramble for a rebound following his missed shot during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Utah in Pullman, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, Associated Press
Strong offensive effort sparked in the paint
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Utah built a 43-26 advantage in the first half by shooting 66.7% from the field. That gave Utah more than enough cushion as its lead never dipped below 14 points in the second half.
The Utes had their way inside, as center Branden Carlson finished with 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting and added 10 rebounds. Forwards Riley Battin (12 points) and Mikael Jantunen (10) also scored in double figures, as Utah had a 38-22 edge in points in the paint and outrebounded the Cougars 32-25.
Guard Rylan Jones sparked the Utes’ offense throughout the game and finished with a season-high 10 assists, one off his career high. The sophomore also had five points, three rebounds and one steal.
The Utes had 19 assists as a team on 28 made field goals, while Washington State had 13 assists.
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