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Saturday, December 7
Salt Lake City, UT
3:00 PM
University of Utah
7-2,0-0Pac-12
98
vs
67
Central Arkansas
1-8,0-0Southland
1
2
F
Central Ark.
42
25
67
Utah
55
43
98
Photo by: Rob Gray
@UtahMBB Cruises Past Central Arkansas
12/7/2019 6:35 PM | Men's Basketball
Behind six players in double-figures, the Utah men’s basketball team rolled past Central Arkansas 98-67.
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah men's basketball team finished off its homestand in resounding fashion, rolling past Central Arkansas to the tune of 98-67 to cap off its final game inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center for the 2019 calendar year.
Timmy Allen once again led the team in scoring, this time with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists along with two steals in just over 26 minutes of action for the Utes (7-2). With the win, Utah remains perfect at home this season with a 5-0 mark.
The first half saw the Runnin' Utes come out firing, taking an early 23-11 lead thanks a 15-5 run and forced a second timeout from Central Arkansas (1-8). That run last 3:55 minutes and was capped off by a corner 3-pointer from Jaxon Brenchley.
The Bears slowly crept back and got within 30-26 of the U despite the Utes hitting 4-of-5 from the field midway through the first half. Out of the under eight media timeout, Utah went on another run and extended its lead to 48-32 with 2:55 left in the half. A trey from Riley Battin followed by an and-1 from Allen gave the Utes a 55-42 edge heading into the break.
Allen had a great half for the Utes, tallying 19 points with six rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting while Mikael Jantunen had nine at the break after posting a new season-high Wednesday night with Battin chipping in with eight points as well.
The second half did not bode well for the visiting Bears as Utah's defense took a stranglehold on Central Arkansas and held them to just 9-of-37 (.243) shooting – including an 0-for-9 attempt from 3-point range. Meanwhile, the Runnin' Utes saw Alfonso Plummer rain threes down on Central Arkansas for 16 of his 18 points in the second frame – which was a new season-high for the JUCO transfer.
With a lead as high as 38 (86-48) with 10:52 left to play, Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak was able to unload his bench – which accounted for nearly half of the team's scoring with 43. The Utes also saw four other players in double-figures on top of Allen and Plummer in Both Gach (13), Jantunen (13), Brenchley (11) and Battin (10).
BY THE NUMBERS
The 22 turnovers by UCA is the second-straight game Utah has forced 20-plus turnovers … the Utes also outpaced the Bears 32-4 in fast-break points … after hitting 35-of-69 (.507) from the field, Utah has now shot .500 or better in three-straight games … the last time Utah had six players in double-figures was against Washington State (1/12/19) … of the team's 35 made field-goals, Utah was able to assist on 20 of them … the 20 assists is the second-most this season behind the 41 dished out against Mississippi Valley State (11/8) this season … the eight turnovers is also the least amount of turnovers this season and first time it has committed less than 10 turnovers in a game since UCLA (3/9/19) at home last season … the 11 steals makes it back-to-back games with double-digit steals – a first in over two seasons.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Larry Krystkowiak…
On how pleased Coach K was by the team's efforts tonight…
Yeah, I mean there probably was a six-minute period where we let our guard down defensively. We just talked a lot about guarding you know. If we really lock in, we had a stretch of 12 possessions where I think we got 10 stops. I never have to worry about calling a play where off transition. You know that's a team that's been on the road with a really difficult schedule. When we defended, I think the game was the way it should be.
On whether or not Timmy [Allen] being aggressive is what Coach K wants out of him…
Oh for sure. Yeah, he's doing a nice job leading us. I thought he did a nice job sharing the ball at times. You know getting his teammates involved and he's always going to give a great effort from a defensive point of view.
On how to approach this team differently because of its youth playing the next three games on the road…
No, I mean hopefully we learned a little bit form Myrtle Beach. You know we didn't respond very well in a neutral environment there. I know certainly with the Classic in Vivint that should be a decent crowd. There's not going be any question we got the big boys In Vegas and a team that's playing really well in STAPLES Center. I don't think there is anything differently to focus on; we need to get in those buildings and get a few shots up but it's not like being in the superdome or something that's crazy. We're playing in nice venues that aren't too expansive in terms of shooting or anything like that. Hopefully we can learn again from Myrtle Beach and be ready to go. Three real quality opponents and an in-state game on top of that so we'll get after them.
UP NEXT
The Utes now begin a trio of neutral site games to wrap up their non-conference season. First up for Utah will be Weber State on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Vivint Smart Home Arena with Kate Scott and Dan Belluomini on the call. The Runnin' Utes then hit the road for Kentucky (Dec. 18) at T-Mobile Arena followed by San Diego State (Dec. 21) at STAPLES Center.
Timmy Allen once again led the team in scoring, this time with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists along with two steals in just over 26 minutes of action for the Utes (7-2). With the win, Utah remains perfect at home this season with a 5-0 mark.
The first half saw the Runnin' Utes come out firing, taking an early 23-11 lead thanks a 15-5 run and forced a second timeout from Central Arkansas (1-8). That run last 3:55 minutes and was capped off by a corner 3-pointer from Jaxon Brenchley.
?? from @JBrench23 makes it a 15-5 run and forces another UCA timeout!
— Utah Basketball?? (@UtahMBB) December 7, 2019
?? 23 | ?? 11#GoUtes???? pic.twitter.com/mHuLcdPUZr
The Bears slowly crept back and got within 30-26 of the U despite the Utes hitting 4-of-5 from the field midway through the first half. Out of the under eight media timeout, Utah went on another run and extended its lead to 48-32 with 2:55 left in the half. A trey from Riley Battin followed by an and-1 from Allen gave the Utes a 55-42 edge heading into the break.
Allen had a great half for the Utes, tallying 19 points with six rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting while Mikael Jantunen had nine at the break after posting a new season-high Wednesday night with Battin chipping in with eight points as well.
The second half did not bode well for the visiting Bears as Utah's defense took a stranglehold on Central Arkansas and held them to just 9-of-37 (.243) shooting – including an 0-for-9 attempt from 3-point range. Meanwhile, the Runnin' Utes saw Alfonso Plummer rain threes down on Central Arkansas for 16 of his 18 points in the second frame – which was a new season-high for the JUCO transfer.
Plummer for ??????!! He's now the 6th Ute in double-figures with 11pts
— Utah Basketball?? (@UtahMBB) December 7, 2019
?? 91 | ?? 55#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/rxA8ccQTeE
With a lead as high as 38 (86-48) with 10:52 left to play, Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak was able to unload his bench – which accounted for nearly half of the team's scoring with 43. The Utes also saw four other players in double-figures on top of Allen and Plummer in Both Gach (13), Jantunen (13), Brenchley (11) and Battin (10).
BY THE NUMBERS
The 22 turnovers by UCA is the second-straight game Utah has forced 20-plus turnovers … the Utes also outpaced the Bears 32-4 in fast-break points … after hitting 35-of-69 (.507) from the field, Utah has now shot .500 or better in three-straight games … the last time Utah had six players in double-figures was against Washington State (1/12/19) … of the team's 35 made field-goals, Utah was able to assist on 20 of them … the 20 assists is the second-most this season behind the 41 dished out against Mississippi Valley State (11/8) this season … the eight turnovers is also the least amount of turnovers this season and first time it has committed less than 10 turnovers in a game since UCLA (3/9/19) at home last season … the 11 steals makes it back-to-back games with double-digit steals – a first in over two seasons.
Can officially confirm that @timmybuckets35 is a bucket-getter. ??
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) December 8, 2019
Allen showed out at home leading the Runnin' Utes with 2??4?? points, 8?? boards, and 5?? assists. pic.twitter.com/Bl0mZ0tXvk
QUOTABLES
Head coach Larry Krystkowiak…
On how pleased Coach K was by the team's efforts tonight…
Yeah, I mean there probably was a six-minute period where we let our guard down defensively. We just talked a lot about guarding you know. If we really lock in, we had a stretch of 12 possessions where I think we got 10 stops. I never have to worry about calling a play where off transition. You know that's a team that's been on the road with a really difficult schedule. When we defended, I think the game was the way it should be.
On whether or not Timmy [Allen] being aggressive is what Coach K wants out of him…
Oh for sure. Yeah, he's doing a nice job leading us. I thought he did a nice job sharing the ball at times. You know getting his teammates involved and he's always going to give a great effort from a defensive point of view.
On how to approach this team differently because of its youth playing the next three games on the road…
No, I mean hopefully we learned a little bit form Myrtle Beach. You know we didn't respond very well in a neutral environment there. I know certainly with the Classic in Vivint that should be a decent crowd. There's not going be any question we got the big boys In Vegas and a team that's playing really well in STAPLES Center. I don't think there is anything differently to focus on; we need to get in those buildings and get a few shots up but it's not like being in the superdome or something that's crazy. We're playing in nice venues that aren't too expansive in terms of shooting or anything like that. Hopefully we can learn again from Myrtle Beach and be ready to go. Three real quality opponents and an in-state game on top of that so we'll get after them.
UP NEXT
The Utes now begin a trio of neutral site games to wrap up their non-conference season. First up for Utah will be Weber State on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Vivint Smart Home Arena with Kate Scott and Dan Belluomini on the call. The Runnin' Utes then hit the road for Kentucky (Dec. 18) at T-Mobile Arena followed by San Diego State (Dec. 21) at STAPLES Center.
###
Team Stats
UCA
Utah
FG%
.373
.507
3FG%
.200
.367
FT%
.737
.773
RB
44
39
TO
22
8
STL
4
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
24
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
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