Several usual issues hurt Utah as they fell 73-60 to Arizona State at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday afternoon.
While Utah got off to a strong start, defensive breakdowns and struggling to attack the Sun Devils zone defense were too much to overcome.
Here’s a look at three takeaways from a loss that drops Utah to 10-19 overall and 2-14 in Big 12 play.
Struggles attacking the zone
Things looked good for Utah early when the Runnin’ Utes got out to a 14-5 lead.
After Terrence Brown picked up two early fouls, though, Utah struggled to attack Arizona State’s zone defense and its offense stagnated for much of the day.
The Sun Devils turned around the complexion of the contest by outscoring Utah 20-5 over the final 10:51 of the first half to take a 34-24 lead into the break.
The Utes shot 34.5% from the field in the first half, while Arizona State shot 44.8% and made 6 of 11 3-pointers in the same time frame.
Keanu Dawes led Utah with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Don McHenry, who hit four 3-points, added 14 points.
Defensive breakdowns and ASU’s 3-point shooting
Some of Utah’s defensive issues that started to show later in the first half became a bigger issue in the second half.
Overall, the Utes allowed the Sun Devils to shoot 49.1% for the game, including 53.8% after halftime. Arizona State also made 9 of 17 3-pointers and scored 39 points in the second half to keep Utah from rallying.
Maurice Odum led four Sun Devils in double-figures, as he put up 15 points, four assists, one block and a steal.
Santiago Truet had a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds) to go with three blocks, while Massamba Diop (14) and Anthony Johnson (13) also scored in double-figures.
How did Lucas Langarita look?
Utah got back mid-year addition Lucas Langarita, the guard from Spain who has missed the past 12 games due to injury.
There was understandably some rust, as he had two turnovers and shot 0 of 2 in the first half.
Langarita, though, had an impressive three-possession stretch in the second half that showcased what he could bring to Utah down the stretch and if he chooses to stick around beyond this season.
First, he made a long jumper with the shot clock running down to cut the ASU lead to 43-34.
On Utah’s next offensive possession, he passed to Dawes, who drove into the lane and scored two points at the hoop.
Then Langarita rebounded an Arizona State miss, pushed the ball upcourt in the fast break and McHenry for 3, getting credit for his lone assist.
That cut the Arizona State lead to 43-39.
Langarita played 16 minutes and had 2 points on 1 of 3 shooting (0 of 1 from 3), two rebounds, an assist and a steal to go with two turnovers.