Runnin’ Utes Battle Through Physical Game, Get Win Over Oregon State

SALT LAKE CITY- The Runnin’ Utes were back in action at the Huntsman Center For the first time since before the Holidays on Thursday night hosting Oregon State. The energy and physicality of the game was on high from the go, but the Utes had control of the game for the entire 40 minutes of play. Utah basketball would go on to beat the Beavers 79-60 and advance their 2022-2023 record to 12-4.

#BasketballSZN full steam ahead now.
Tonight we follow @UtahMBB as they host Oregon State.

Tip-off at 8pm.#GoUtes #UteProud pic.twitter.com/JZV8y3Xiru

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 6, 2023

First Half

The Utes wasted very little time establishing they would be in control of this ball game winning the tip and Branden Carlson garnering the first points of the game.

BC wastes no time getting one off the board after tip. #Utes up 2 early in this contest. #GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 6, 2023

The Runnin’ Utes would extend their lead 15-6 by the 14-minute mark and shooting 60% from the field. Oregon State would start to fight back though and closed the gap on the Utes 17-11, making four out of five of their field goal attempts.

Utah basketball holds a 24-18 lead over the Beavers with 7:24 remaining in the first half. The #Utes have been on a three-minute score drought having missed all four of their last attempts. #GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 6, 2023

At the half, Utah had a solid 42-34 lead over the Beavers with Branden Carlson leading in points with 12, Marco Anthony in rebounds with six, and Rollie Worster in assists with 5.

HALFTIME

Utah leads Oregon State 42-34.

Utah is shooting 52% from the field, 31% from the three and 86% from the FT.

The #Utes have kept their turnovers to down to four, while getting 17 rebounds and 10 assists.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 6, 2023

Second Half

Oregon State came within one point of Utah out of the half, 44-43, after going on a 6-0 run within 57 seconds. However, a Beaver foul would send Carlson to the line extending that lead to four, 47-43.

Oregon State makes it a little uncomfortable for the #Utes out of the half coming within one point on a 6-0 run in the first 57 seconds of play. Utah has extended their lead now, 47-43.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 6, 2023

The game continued to ebb and flow between Utah having a comfortable lead and the Beavers going on a run and making it close. Oregon State would never take the lead though.

Oregon State keeps hanging around, #Utes still have yet to relinquish the lead, but the Beavers keep trying to push that door open. Score currently stands at 57-51 for Utah with 11:31 left to play.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 6, 2023

Towards the end of the game, Oregon State went on a two-minute scoring drought missing all seven of their last field goal attempts. The Beavers would finally break the trend on their nineth try cutting Utah’s lead to 10. However, Lazar Stefanovic would answer with a three-point shot giving the Utes a 68-55 lead with 6:25 remaining.

Oregon State on a two-minute score drought going 0-7 on their last few attempts. Utah has a 65-53 lead at the media break with 7:31 to play.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 6, 2023

The Utes would finish the night shooting 47% from the field, 32% from the three and 90% from the free throw line. Utah would also keep their turnovers to eight while collecting 37 rebounds and being efficient assisting with 18.

Leading the charge in scoring was Branden Carlson with 27 points. Marco Anthony was large and in charge rebounding with 12 and Rollie Worster passed the ball around with eight assists.

Next Up

The Runnin’ Utes will be back in action Saturday evening at the Huntsman Center, this time playing host to the Oregon Ducks in an effort to extend their current three-game win streak out of the Holiday break. Tipoff is set for 5 pm MT and will be aired on Pac-12 Networks.

FINAL@UtahMBB 79, Oregon State 60.#Utes advance to 12-4 on the season and will host Oregon next on Saturday at 5 pm. #GoUtes #LightTheU

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 6, 2023

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

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