Runnin’ Utes Control Game Against Washington State, Walk Away With Win

SALT LAKE CITY – The Runnin’ Utes returned home in hopes of turning around a three-game losing streak that started against Oregon two weeks ago against the Washington State Cougars.

In the second meetup of the season for Utah and Washington State, the Utes controlled the game once more and walked away with the sweep, 77 – 63.

Leading the charge was center Branden Carlson who finished with 28 points and 8 rebounds on a night where several teammates had shining moments to secure the much-needed victory.

#LightTheU #Utes beat WSU for the second time this season and break a three-game losing streak.

Final Score: 77-63 #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/WHw4Q6KrCu

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 20, 2023

Utah’s First Quarter

Utah made quick work of establishing the tempo of the game early on. After controlling the tipoff, Branden Carlson got the Utes a quick two-points. Washington State quickly answered back tying up the game, but from there Utah took control of the game and was up 11-5 on the Cougars about 15 minutes in.

BC with the first score of the night after the #Utes controlled the tip. WSU answered back on their first series. Tied ball game at 2 each. #GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 20, 2023

Carlson continued to be a problem for WSU leading the Utes in both points with nine and rebounds with three at the 11- minute mark. Carlson also established himself as a defensive force early on that would be as unrelenting on the other side of the court as the offensive-side.

Utah is looking good early on and BC is off and going. Currently leads the team in points with 9 after sinking a three and rebounds with two.#Utes lead 16-11.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 20, 2023

Other Utes would start to get going including Wilguens Exacte Jr., Rollie Worster and Lazar Stefanovic, building a decent lead, 25-17, over the Cougars with under eight minutes to play. Through that time, Utah would go on a 9-0 run and make four shots in a row to pull ahead after Washington State got within one just minutes before.

Cougars closed the gap to one, but Exacte threw down a three to give the #Utes some space, 19-15.

A traveling violation by WSU sends the ball back down to Utah's end of the court.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 20, 2023

With just over three minutes to play, both Utah and WSU struggled to score. The Utes would go over two minutes before making another basket and the Cougars missed five shots in a row to wind the first half down.

A bit of a scoring drought on both sides. It's been two minutes since Utah last made a shot, and WSU has missed their last five tries at the basket.#Utes still hold the lead with 3:19 to play, 29-24.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 20, 2023

Exacte would have a costly turnover around the three minute mark and Worster would turn it into a foul opportunity for the Cougars to tie the game up at 29. However, traveling shortly after on WSU would give the ball back to the Utes and BC would sink two three-point shots to regain the lead for the Utes, 35-29 with under two minutes to play.

#Utes go into the half with a 39-31 lead over the Cougars.

BC leads the team in points (21) and rebounds (5). Marco Anthony is the assist leader at the half with 4.#Utes shooting well, 57% from the field, 42% from the three and 67% from the line.#GoUtes #UteProud

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 20, 2023

Utes’ Second Half

Utah wasted no time building on their 39-31 lead out of the break, extending it 49-35 with the help Worster and Madsen sinking some big-time shots before the first timeout of the second half.

Worster comin' in hot out of the half with points and Madsen tops it off with a three at the timeout. #Utes up 49-35 on the Cougars.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 20, 2023

Both Utah and WSU cooled down with the Utes going on a three-minute-long scoring drought with the Cougars nipping right at their heels with a two-minute drought. Washington State finally had an opportunity to put some points on the board around the 11-minute mark, making two of three free throws and cutting Utah’s lead.

Anthony quickly answered with two-points of his own, but WSU came right back with three more making the score 53-46 in favor of the Utes with just under 10 minutes left to play.

Getting a little sloppy here with another scoring drought with shots that just will not fall. Lucky for the #Utes it's been just as bad or worse for WSU.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 20, 2023

Despite the bogged-down moments, Utah never lost control of the game. Down the stretch Stefanovic, Carlson, and Madsen came in with key plays to wrap the game up for the Utes who would finish the night on 55% shooting from the field, 41% from the three, and 45% from the free throw line. The Utes were solid sharing the ball with 20 assists and in cleanup duties with 33 rebounds.

Stefanovic knocks down a three and boosts Utah back to a 10-point lead with two remaining to play. BC followed it up with a jumper plus a turn at the line. #Utes lead 72-59 with under two to play. Despite some ugly moments, this has been a complete team effort tonight.#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 20, 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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