3 takeaways from Utah’s loss at No. 11 Kansas

Utah’s losing streak extended to five games as the Runnin’ Utes fell 71-59 at No. 11 Kansas on Saturday afternoon.

Here are three takeaways from the matchup at historic Allen Fieldhouse that dropped Utah to 9-14 overall and 1-9 in Big 12 play.

Kansas put a back-and-forth game away with a second-half run

The Jayhawks led 42-40 with 16:45 minutes to play, before Kansas finally got some separation from the visiting Utes.

Over the next nine minutes, the Jayhawks went on an 18-4 run, including 10 straight points during one stretch.

That gave Kansas its first double-digit lead of the game, and the Jayhawks never let Utah back within 10 after that.

Flory Bidunga put up a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to pace Kansas, while adding seven blocks and three assists.

Tre White added 16 points and six rebounds, while Darryn Peterson had 14 points, three rebounds, two steals and an assist in a hard-fought outing for the projected lottery pick.

Utah’s defense showed some spark

While Kansas shot 50% from the field, the Utes were active on defense and made the Jayhawks work for their points, particularly during the game’s first 30 minutes.

Utah entered the game giving up 81 points per game in Big 12 play, second most in the league, and Utes coach Alex Jensen has often bemoaned the team’s lack of effort on that end.

Against the Jayhawks, Utah’s help-side defense was better, and the Utes kept the rebounding game (a 36-32 Kansas edge) close.

If the Utes can play with that kind of energy against other Big 12 teams that aren’t as talented as the Jayhawks, Utah can be more competitive.

Keanu Dawes led a shorthanded Utes squad

Utah ended up being down another guard against Kansas, as Obomate Abbey ended up missing the game.

That shortened the bench behind starting guards Terrence Brown and Don McHenry, who both had rough shooting days — combining to go 9 of 31 from the field — but added 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The best day from a Ute came from junior forward Keanu Dawes, who paced the team on both ends. He ended the day with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while shooting 10 of 13 from the field and hit a couple early 3-pointers.

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