Utah controls the tempo in dominating Oklahoma State for its first Big 12 win

Oklahoma State didn’t have an answer for the Utah post attack on Saturday and the Runnin’ Utes savored being able to dominate the paint.

As a result, Utah has its first win in Big 12 Conference play.

The Utes (9-6, 1-3 Big 12) followed the lead of a massive night from big men Ezra Ausar, Keanu Dawes and Jake Wahlin to roll to an 83-62 victory over the Cowboys at the Huntsman Center.

“It’s a great win. I’m so happy for our guys. Obviously, you know, it’s been a minute since we’ve been on the victory side of things, and it’s a historic win in terms of first-ever win for the University of Utah men’s basketball in Big 12 play,” said Utah coach Craig Smith.

“Just excited for our guys. I mean, these guys, it’s been a long three weeks in some respects, but I’m really proud of them because we stayed with it.”

The Utes controlled the game from the get-go after having played from behind much of their short Big 12 history. Utah stormed out to a 12-0 lead thanks in large part to six quick points from Ausar and stifled any Oklahoma State hopes for a comeback by shooting lights out while holding the Cowboys in check.

“When you get off to a good start, I think it gives you confidence,” Smith said. “It helped. We made our free throws. What are we, 17 for 24 from the free-throw line? And so you make those early ones … you see the ball go through in the hole. That stuff can be contagious a little bit.

“It just felt like our guys had a real edge to us, real confidence to us going into tonight’s game. It felt good to be at home again.”

Utah ended up shooting 55.6% from the floor in the game, while holding Oklahoma State to 33.3%.

The Cowboys came into the game as one of the nation’s best teams at forcing turnovers, but Utah — which has had its troubles in that area over the early going of league play — only turned it over 11 times in the blowout win, and those takeaways only netted Oklahoma State nine points.

The Utes outscored Oklahoma State in the paint, 46-24, and held the Cowboys’ leading scorer, 6-foot-10 Abou Ousmane, to 8 points on 3 of 10 shooting.

It was the best showcase of assertive basketball the Utes have displayed this season.

“I think it opens the floor. We can dominate the paint and finish,” Wahlin said of Utah’s ability to attack inside and take what the Cowboys gave them at the Huntsman.

“I think they said we won the paint battle, 46-24. That’s big-time for this team. We’re so long, we’re so physical offensively in the paint, and I think when we can take advantage and look inside, it opens everything up for everyone else on the court. We have so many guys who can shoot.”

On the opposite bench, it was an equally frustrating night.

“Tonight, we didn’t give enough effort,” Oklahoma State coach Steve Lutz said. “… I mean, you’ve either got to fight and scrap and claw on the defensive end and give your best or you don’t, and tonight we didn’t give our best, and they made us pay for it.”

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Ausar had his best scoring day as a Ute, attacking the basket and ending the night with 21 points. Twelve of those points came in the first half.

He ended up shooting 7 of 12 from the floor and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line.

While free-throw shooting has largely been a struggle for Utah this season, Ausar’s effort led a solid night wherein the Utes went 17 of 24 from the line, including 7 of 7 in the first half.

“I just think it’s taking advantage of what is out there, honestly,” Ausar said. “If we’re going to be playing against some smaller guys, why not dominate them in the paint?

“f we’re playing against guys who are going to overplay things, like a lot of plays today were on back cuts because they overplayed, it’s really just trying to figure out the other team’s identity and their weakness, and we attack their weakness.”

Dawes, who’s seen his minutes ebb and flow over the season, experienced a breakout game while playing 21 minutes.

He had back-to-back-to-back dunks on three straight possessions for Utah in the second half and ended the night with 16 points on 8 of 10 shooting to go with nine rebounds, two assists and a block.

Of Utah’s 12 dunks, Dawes had five, all in the second half.

Wahlin was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time since Utah’s win over Utah Tech back on Nov. 22, and he made the most of it.

Though he briefly exited to the tunnel after falling hard in the first half, he returned and showed off his energy and range. Wahlin made 5 of 5 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and added four rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Don’t forget about Lawson Lovering, too. He ended up with eight points, six assists, three rebounds and a block (the Utes had seven blocks on the night).

The Utes didn’t need a big night from the Madsen brothers, as Gabe Madsen scored nine points and Mason Madsen went scoreless. Mike Sharavjamts, the 6-foot-9 ball handler, led the backcourt contribution with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.

After enduring a four-game losing streak, Saturday’s win brought with it some enthusiasm for the Utes, whose coach said they harped on valuing the ball and shot selection going into the matchup.

“I thought we just kept control and kept our poise and just took what they gave us,” Smith said, “and so I’m really proud of that.”