Box Score
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - A second-half rally propelled the University of Utah past the Idaho State men's -basketball team 57-46 on Wednesday night in the first day of the Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament at the Huntsman Center in front of a crowd of 7,898 fans.
The Bengals led 29-22 at halftime and held the Utes to 32 percent shooting in the first half but in the second half ISU was outscored 35-17 and only shot 19.2 percent from the field.
Melvin Morgan led the Bengals in scoring with 15 points and six rebounds in 36 minutes of play.
Chris Hansen had nine points and
Andre Hatchett had seven points.
Tomas Sanchez had a season-high 10 rebounds.
Utah shot 37.7 percent from the floor for the game and out rebounded Idaho State 41-32. ISU had 11 turnovers and forced Utah into 13. Idaho State had eight steals to Utah's five.
“I thought our effort was good,” Idaho State coach
Bill Evans said. “There was a five minute span where we were not in tune like we needed to be.”
In the first half, Utah led 20-17 with 8:41 left until halftime. Over the last eight minutes ISU went on a 12-2 run to lead 29-22 at the break. During a six minute spell the Bengals held Utah scoreless.
“I thought we defended really well,” Evans said.
During the run Sanchez hit two free throws, Morgan hit a 3-pointers and a jumper from the free throw line to give Idaho State a 24-20 lead with 5:52 to play in first half. Then with 2:05 left until the break, Utah broke its scoring drought to cut the ISU lead to 24-22 but the Bengals scored the final five points two free throws by Sanchez, one by
Neveij Walters and a layup by Morgan.
Idaho State scored the opening bucket of the second half to lead 31-22 and maintained its lead until Glen Dean hit a 3-pointer with 13:29 remaining to put Utah on top 34-33. The score was tied at 35 a minute later but Utah then went on a 19-3 run to lead 54-38 with 6:26 left in the game. Idaho State got no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
Idaho State continues play in the Utah Thanksgiving Tournament when it plays Wright State at 7:45 p.m. on Friday night. ISU also plays Central Michigan on Saturday, at 4:30 p.m. in Salt Lake City. The game can be heard live on 102.5 KMGI and 930 KSEI with
Jerry Miller calling the action.
“We are going to get ready for Wright State,” Evans said. “We will practice tomorrow and then count our blessings and eat some turkey.”
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