12/01/22 09:56:00
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12/01 21:54 CST Branden Carlson, Utah race past No. 4 Arizona 81-66
Branden Carlson, Utah race past No. 4 Arizona 81-66
By JOHN COON
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) --- Branden Carlson scored 22 points and Utah handed No. 4
Arizona its first loss of the season, 81-66 on Thursday night in the Pac-12
opener for both teams.
Carlson went 5 of 9 from 3-point range. Rollie Worster had 12 points, 11
rebounds and nine assists for the Utes (6-2), and Gabe Madsen and Ben Carlson
scored 11 points apiece.
Oumar Ballo led Arizona (6-1) with 22 points and seven rebounds. Azuolas
Tubelis added 20 points for the Wildcats, who trailed wire to wire.
Arizona struggled to generate a consistent offensive rhythm before halftime
against Utah's stifling defense. The Utes forced 11 turnovers in the first half
that they converted into 15 points. When Arizona got looks at the basket, the
Wildcats couldn't knock down shots --- making only 27% of their field goal
attempts before halftime.
Ben Carlson and Worster each made back-to-back baskets to punctuate a 17-4 run
that put the Utes ahead 39-20 late in the first half.
Arizona trimmed away some of the deficit early in the second half, cutting
Utah's lead to 52-46 on a 3-point play from Ballo. The Utes countered with an
18-4 run and weren't seriously threatened from there.
BIG PICTURE
Arizona: Especially in the first half, the Wildcats didn't resemble the
high-flying team that won the Maui Invitational.
Utah: The Utes were impressive against the defending Pac-12 champions and
showed they will be a factor in the league this season.
UP NEXT
Arizona hosts California on Sunday.
Utah visits Washington State on Sunday.
___
AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and
https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and
https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
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