Runnin’ Utes Runaway With The Win Over Colorado
Feb 11, 2023, 10:03 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2023, 4:43 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Runnin’ Utes wrapped up a three-game home stretch with a runaway win over “rival” Colorado at the Huntsman Center Saturday night. Utah never trailed in the game.
Utah put the pedal to the metal against the Buffaloes, 73 – 62, in front of a solid crowd earning their 17th win of the season and extending their record to 12-3 at home so far in the 2023 season.
After having some issues getting anything going scoring-wise with the loss of Gabe Madsen, the Utes had a nice night against Colorado going 49% from the field and 35% three. Utah was also effective defensively hauling in 41 rebounds, five blocks and four steals.
Branden Carlson & Marco Anthony led the team in scoring with 17 points followed closely by Ben Carlson with 10 points.
Utah never trailed in their win over Colorado to finish out their three-game home stand.#GoUtes #LightTheU pic.twitter.com/mzqSLP3DVK
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) February 12, 2023
Colorado vs. Utah First Half
Branden Carlson got the Utes on the board first. Another three minutes would pass before Utah put more points on the board with Marco Anthony adding another two and Rollie Worster adding three for a 7-2 lead.
Right off the tip, big man @ballerbranden35 gets us started‼️
📲 https://t.co/qJZAiluWpP⁰#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/qkc19Ovvdy
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 12, 2023
Colorado tied the game up at 7 out of the media break before Ben Carlson hit a three that gave the Utes the lead again, 10-7 with just under 15 minutes to play.
This game has been a bit of a slog-fest early on. Lots of errant balls and fouls. Utah does lead the Buffs 14-7 despite some miscues.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) February 12, 2023
Keba Keita bullied his way for two, giving the Utes a solid six-point lead before Anthony hit a three to make it nine, 19-10. BC got the crowd going with a big swat defensively before running down to the other end of the court for the statement dunk. Utah extends their lead, 21-10 with 10:22 left in the first half.
At about the halfway mark in the first half of the game one of the biggest difference makers appears to be rebounding. Utah has 10 to Colorado's 4. #GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) February 12, 2023
Worster and BC teamed up to tack on an additional four points before Colorado added two of their own making it a 25-17 game with just over seven on the clock. Despite five turnovers, the Runnin’ Utes have pretty well dominated the game shooting 61% from the field, 75% from the three while bringing in 13 rebounds and giving seven assists.
🚫🚫🚫 says @ballerbranden35…
Followed by the HAMMER‼️🔨🔨
📲 https://t.co/qJZAiluWpP
⁰#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/ePu8wTKUtq— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 12, 2023
Lazar Stefanovic sank a three out of the break making it a 28-19 affair for the Utes. Keita’s jumper made it a 30-19 game.
🕰 1H, 3:45
🔴30
🦬24 pic.twitter.com/uRCkW4HzBT— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 12, 2023
BC sunk a jumper before time expired in the half to put the Utes up 38-32 over the Buffaloes. Utah finished the half shooting 52% from the field, 56% from the three while bringing in 20 rebounds to Colorado’s 12 and lending 11 assists to their scoring efforts.
Buffaloes, Utes Second Quarter
Out of the half, Colorado struck first with a two off the board making it a 38-34 game before BC bullied his way to the basket and took a trip at the line to give the Utes three points and a 41-34 lead. A few minutes later BC followed up the effort with a dunk giving the Utes the 43-36 advantage.
Worster finds the big man @ballerbranden35 for the 2-handed FLUSH 🔨🔨
📲 https://t.co/qJZAiluWpP⁰#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/v8JRN2MC8u
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 12, 2023
Out of the break the Carlsons got hot with BC hitting a jumper and B. Carlson following it up with a three to extend Utah’s lead, 50-36, over Colorado. Anthony hit a two to give the Utes a 52-40 advantage with a little over 12 left to play.
Colorado making a bit of run right now. Cut the lead to 10 until B. Carlson came in with the cleanup bucket to extend it back to a 12-point game. #Utes ahead 56-44 with 10:17 left to play.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) February 12, 2023
Wilguens Jr. Exacte hit the board for two. Colorado lost the ball on their follwing possession allowing Keita to cleanup a layup attempt to extend Utah’s lead 60-44 with 9:20 left on the clock.
Defense ⏩ Offense! @wexactejr with the disruption leading to the @Keba_Keita_13 put-back 🔨🔨‼️
📲 https://t.co/qJZAiluWpP⁰#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/YXbvbHuFVc
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 12, 2023
With just over four minutes left to play the Buffaloes made another push on the Runnin’ Utes getting within 10 again, but a trip to the line for Stefanovic put the Utes up 67-55.
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
