Men's Basketball Win-Streak Snapped in Tempe

Thursday, January 4

Tempe, AZ

9:00 PM

University of Utah

11-3,2-1Pac-12

Arizona State

9-5,3-0Pac-12

Utah

Arizona St.

1/5/2024 12:30 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Highlights

The Utah men’s basketball team saw its win-streak snapped Thursday night in Tempe to the Sun Devils, 82-70.

TEMPE, Ariz. – The #RV/RV Utah men's basketball team struggled on the offensive end Thursday night and saw its eight-game win-streak streak snapped at the hands of Arizona State 82-70 inside Desert Financial Arena.

First half was a game of runs with the Utes (11-3, 2-1 Pac-12) taking an 8-3 lead before Arizona State reeled off a 6-0 spurt to take the 9-3 edge at the first media break (15:38). That Sun Devil lead extended their lead to 18-12 at the under-12 (11:37) before Utah started to claw back.

A 7-0 run then ensued led by Branden Carlson that was capped off by Deivon Smith to retake the 27-24 lead. A few baskets were exchanged between the two teams before a 9-3 run by the home team put Utah behind 41-36 heading into the break.

The second half started a bit slow for both teams, but things started to pick up out of the 15:46 media break with Utah trailing 46-42. A great drive and dish in the paint from Rollie Worster gave Keba Keita an easy slam to get Utah within one possession, 46-44. Utah had opportunities during that stretch to regain the lead, but untimely missed lay-ups by the Utes saw them trail 51-49 with 11:59 left to play.

Utah couldn't find its rhythm after that point and went just 3-for-9 from the field in nearly seven minutes of play while ASU (9-5, 3-0 Pac-12) went 6-for-9 from the field to go up 70-59 with 4:44 left to go. Time became Utah's worst enemy as it fought against father time to the bitter before the buzzer rang in the loss.

Carlson finished with a team-high 19 points on 8 rebounds with 2 blocks while Smith added 13 points with 4 rebounds. Cole Bajema and Worster each chipped in with 9 points each for Utah.

BY THE NUMBERS
Utah's loss is the fourth-straight to the Sun Devils … Utah was outscored 18-8 in fast break points and gave up 15 offensive boards that led to 15 ASU points … the 15 turnovers is the third-most by Utah this season … the 11-2 start was Utah's best start since 2015-16 before Thursday's loss.

UP NEXT
The Runnin' Utes now turn their focus towards #10/10 Arizona, who they'll face off on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 6 p.m. (MT) on Pac-12 Networks. Daron Sutton and Matt Muehlebach will call the action as Utah looks to get its first win inside McKale Center since 1986.

For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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