Loveridge Lifts Utah Past Idaho State, 74-66

Tuesday, December 10

Jon M. Huntsman Center

7:00 PM

University of Utah

Idaho State

12/10/2013 12:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Dec. 10, 2013

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SALT LAKE CITY - Jordan Loveridge had a career-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting - which included several key baskets down the stretch - to help Utah hold off Idaho State for a 74-66 victory on Tuesday night.

Delon Wright added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists while Dakarai Tucker chipped in 12 points going 4-for-6 from beyond the arc as the Utes (8-1) improved to 17-0 all-time in their home arena versus the Bengals.

"We were not responsive to their zone in the first half," head coach Larry Krystkowiak said. "We talked for two days about penetrating and getting in the paint. We were out of sync. Luckily we had halftime. We spoke to the guys and they came out better in the second half. Jordan made some plays, Dakarai hit some 3's. I thought Dallin was the MVP with his spark off the bench."

Tomas Sanchez had 19 points to lead Idaho State (3-3) while Andre Hatchett chipped in 15 points and Chris Hansen added 14. The Bengals lost to a Pac-12 opponent for the second time this season.

Trailing by 15, Utah roared back to life by clamping down on defense. The Utes allowed Idaho State to shoot just 34.5 percent (10-of-29) from the field after halftime. It helped open things up on the other end of the floor. It was the largest deficit overcome by a Krystkowiak-coached team during his tenure at Utah.

"We started off with seven turnovers and we were making it easy for them on offense," Loveridge said. "They were getting the shots they wanted. When we picked up our intensity on the defensive end and stopped turning the ball over, we got back in the game."

Tucker hit a pair of 3-pointers to fuel a 18-5 run that put Utah in front at 52-48. When Dallin Bachynski capped the run with a dunk with 9:38 left, Utah looked to be in control.

Idaho State got within a point twice - the final time on a 3-point play from Chris Hansen to make it 57-56 in favor of Utah - but the Utes answered with timely baskets down the stretch.

Utah took its largest lead, 70-61, on Loveridge's layup with 2:48 left. The sophomore then made a 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining to secure the victory after the Bengals clawed back within four.

Utah played without much energy on defense in the first half and it opened the door for Idaho State to set a favorable tempo and take control of the game.

The Bengals shot 51.9 percent (14-of-27) from the field and 55.6 percent (5-of-9) from distance before halftime. Idaho State also had a 15-11 edge in rebounds and a 9-4 advantage in points off turnovers.

Utah struggled to hold onto the ball against the Bengal defense. The Utes turned it over eight times in the first half - with six coming as a direct result of Idaho State steals. The Bengals entered the game leading the Big Sky in steals with 11.4 per game.

The Bengals scored the game's first six points, culminating in a jumper from Jeffrey Solarin. Utah responded to the initial run. The Utes caught and passed Idaho State on back-to-back layups from Loveridge and Wright to take a 15-13 lead with 10:37 left in the first half.

Utah's lead did not last long. Scotty Tyler drained a 3-pointer a minute later to help Idaho State rip off a 22-5 run to take control. Hansen capped the lengthy spurt with another 3-pointer to give the Bengals a 35-20 lead with 3:27 remaining before halftime.

Utah closed the gap a bit before halftime when Loveridge and Brandon Taylor hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut Idaho State's lead to 37-28 with 1:09 left in the half.

The Utes drew within five, 37-32, after Loveridge made another 3-pointer early in the second half. Idaho State boosted its lead back to nine at 43-34 after Hatchett and Solarin each chipped in a basket and free throw to temporarily contain Utah.

Utah hosts BYU on Saturday evening at 8 p.m. The game will be televised live on the Pac-12 Network and can be heard on ESPN 700.