3 keys to Utah’s 71-54 loss to Washington State

Washington State guard TJ Bamba, proper, shoots over Utah guard Lazar Stefanovic throughout the first half of an NCAA school basketball recreation, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Pullman, Wash.

Younger Kwak, AP

Utah’s traditionally dangerous males’s basketball season bought even worse Wednesday evening as Washington State routed the Runnin’ Utes 71-54 at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Washington. It was Utah’s ninth-straight loss, matching the longest shedding streak in program historical past.

Utah final misplaced 9 straight video games throughout the 1935-36 season.

Listed here are 3 keys to the Runnin’ Utes’ tenth Pac-12 loss:

• Utah’s turnover issues returned because the Runnin’ Utes gave the ball away 19 occasions, together with 13 within the first half that allowed Wazzu to leap out to a 33-25 halftime lead. The Cougars scored 19 factors off Utah’s turnovers.

• It was a reasonably aggressive recreation till Washington State went on a 22-3 run within the second half to take a 55-32 lead with slightly below 12 minutes remaining. The Utes put collectively an 11-2 run to chop the deficit to fifteen with 12 minutes remaining, however WSU regained the momentum and cruised to its fourth Pac-12 win.

• Utah heart Branden Carlson returned after sitting out the final 5 video games after an appendectomy on Jan. 8. Carlson appeared a bit rusty after coming into the sport with 15:53 left within the first half however hit a 3-pointer within the second half and completed with eight factors in 19 minutes.