Utah Blows Good First Half, Still Win In Overtime Thriller
Dec 4, 2022, 4:46 PM | Updated: Dec 5, 2022, 10:53 am
PULLMAN, WA. – After taking down the No. 4 Arizona Wildcats at home on Thursday, Utah basketball was on the road Sunday against WSU. The Runnin’ Utes got off to a hot start but squandered their lead in the second half. Despite the poor play, Utah rallied in overtime to beat Washington State, 67-65, in Pullman.
#Utes win by the skin of their teeth in overtime 67-65 over the Washington State Cougars. #GoUtes #UteProud pic.twitter.com/Vh1pUadgKr
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) December 4, 2022
By halftime the Utes were cooking, shooting 50% or better from the field and three-point area while limiting turnovers (eight) and hauling in opportunities off the glass with 19. Out of the half Utah struggled to finish the job against Washington State in the second half with poor shooting and foul trouble allowing the Cougars to tie the game at 59. The Utes currently stand at 2-0 early in Pac-12 play.
Taking A Closer Look At The Game Leaders, Final Stats
The Utes finished the afternoon with 42% shooting from the field, 50% shooting from the three, and 61% from the free throw line. After limiting their turnovers early in the game, Utah ended the game with 19 lost balls. However, they were good at recovering with 44 rebounds and six blocks.
Rollie Worster had another strong shooting game leading the team with 19 points while adding in seven rebounds and four assists.
WE'VE GOT FREE BASKETBALL HERE IN PULLMAN! pic.twitter.com/mVOAKz61ss
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) December 4, 2022
Ben Carlson hauled in 10 rebounds for the Utes along with seven points and two blocks.
Lazar Stefanovich was the leader for the Runnin’ Utes in assists with four. Stefanovich also gave the Utes 10 points and four rebounds.
Utah had to gut out the last part of their game without big man Brandon Carlson who had to sit after getting into foul trouble.
Up Next
Up next, the Runnin’ Utes return home to the Huntsman to host Jacksonville State on Thursday, December 8. The game tips off at 8 pm MT and will air on the Pac-12 Networks.
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.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