Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
- Texas Tech defeated Utah 93-65, marking Utah's second consecutive Big 12 loss.
- Utah struggled defensively, allowing Texas Tech to maintain high shooting percentages.
- Utah coach Craig Smith emphasized the need for defensive improvement and discipline.
SALT LAKE CITY — An 8-0 run by Texas Tech late in the first half proved to be the difference Saturday night, but it was far from the problem.
The visiting Red Raiders had built up a double-digit lead early in the first half before Utah slowly chipped away at the lead. Miro Little hit a stepback 3-pointer as he was fouled to give Utah its first lead of the game.
But the lead proved to be short lived as Texas Tech used an 8-0 run out of a timeout, and eventually ballooned it to a 47-36 halftime lead on 61% shooting from the field — a figure that remained consistent all first half.
Texas Tech continued the momentum in the second half to eventually pull away for a 93-65 win at the Huntsman Center, giving the Runnin' Utes their second consecutive conference loss of the season.
"Tonight was really disappointing," Utah head coach Craig Smith said. "We've got to get better; and in this league, when you have 20 games in 10 days, you can't sit and sulk, you've got to dig in. You've got to fight for this, you've got to earn this, because no one's going to hand you anything. We've got to go earn it."
Though Utah (8-5, 0-2 Big 12) kept it close for much of the first half before the late Texas Tech run, the second half started out with a cold spell, where the Runnin' Utes failed to hit a field goal until Zach Keller hit a layup with 15:18 left in the game.
By the time Utah got some shots to fall — at a much lower shooting percentage than the first half — Texas Tech (10-3, 1-1 Big 12) had already built up a 16-point lead, and it only grew from there. Playing the catch-up game proved to be difficult against a team just outside the latest Associated Press Top 25 rankings.
Utah finished the night shooting 42% from the field despite a scorching first half that at one point had the Utes shooting 71% before dropping down before the halftime break.
Texas Tech held Gabe and Mason Madsen to a combined 4 points, while allowing neither sharpshooter to hit a 3-pointer all game. And though Utah hoped for a more consistent offensive performance, Smith said it was mostly a lack of defense that allowed Texas Tech to hit at a high rate from all over the floor.
"I thought it was a potpourri of everything," Smith said.
Even in moments — especially early — where Utah held Texas Tech late in the shot clock, the Red Raiders found an open 3-pointer or took advantage of a lapse in defense for an easy alley-oop dunk in what proved to be back breakers for the home team.
"We've got to take care of defense first, and offense will follow and take care of itself," Jake Wahlin said. "We know we're one of the most skilled offensive teams, but we've got to to find a way to protect the other end of the court, especially at home."
Keller finished with a team-high 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting off the bench for the Utes. Keanu Dawes added 11 points and five rebounds off the bench, while Wahlin, who was instrumental in Utah's first-half surge, finished with 10 points.
No starter for Utah finished with double-digit scoring, though Caleb Lohner had 9 points and four rebounds, and Mike Sharavjamts added 8 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Texas Tech had six players finish with double-digit scoring, with Darrion Williams leading the charge with 19 points, nine assists and five rebounds in the win. Federiko Federiko added 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting off the bench for the Red Raiders.
Utah was without forward Ezra Ausar Saturday, who was away attending to personal matters. He's expected to return to the team soon. In his absence, Utah head coach Craig Smith changed up his starting lineup to include Sharavjamts, Gabe and Mason Madsen, Caleb Lohner and Lawson Lovering.
"You have to be disciplined, you have to communicate, you have to be on point and understand what's going on, and it's been a little bit of an issue with us," Smith said. "Some of our better offensive players aren't quite as good defensively. Some of our better defensive players, maybe quite aren't as good on the offensive end, and we've got to find that blend of guys who are going to come out and compete hard."
