SALT LAKE CITY – Backed by a career-high tying 27 points from Branden Carlson along with double-doubles from the big man and Marco Anthony saw the Utah men's basketball team move to 5-0 in Pac-12 play Thursday night after it defeated Oregon State 79-60 inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
The 5-0 start in Pac-12 play for Utah is the best start to league play since joining the conference in 2011-12 and the best start to conference play since 2004-05 when Utah was a member of the Mountain West. The Runnin' Utes are now 21-18 all-time against the Beavers and 10-3 when playing inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Utah (12-4, 5-0 Pac-12) led wire-to-wire Thursday night against the Beavers, who got as close as 44-43 out of the gates in the second half before an 8-0 run gave the Runnin' Utes enough separation to close out the game. The defense also showed up when it was needed most, holding Oregon State to just 2-of-7 from the field in the final 7:00 minutes of the game
The Guard connection??@GabeMadsen53 ? @_Lazar_Stef 3????
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— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 6, 2023
The first half saw the Utes take and early 15-6 edge at the 14:13 media break but like the second half, Oregon State (7-8, 1-3 Pac-12) battled back to get within 29-23. However, Carlson and Gabe Madsen combined for 23 of Utah's 42 points in the first 20 minutes of action to give the Utes a 42-34 edge heading into the break.
"Man, that's pretty" @GabeMadsen53 for 3????
?? https://t.co/1PFkiCFLqg#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Hi9NfEB8RB
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 6, 2023
Carlson led all scorers with his 27 points and season-high 11 boards for his eighth-career double-double while Anthony chipped in with one of his own, posting 14 points with a season-high 12 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting. Madsen added 13 points for Utah to go with Lazar Stefanovic's 13 points as well. Rollie Worster flirted with a double-double of his own, scoring six points with eight assists – six of which occurred in the first half.
.@_Lazar_Stef finds the big man to tie his career high with the 3????
?? https://t.co/1PFkiCFLqg#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/GvsLkrhTUi
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 6, 2023
BY THE NUMBERS
The Utes outscored Oregon State from the free-throw line, knocking down 18-of-20 while the Beavers shot just 4-of-5 from the line … with 18 assists tonight, it marks the seventh time Utah has dished out at least 15 dimes in a game this season … Utah converted 9 offensive boards into 13 points … Utah is now 12-0 when leading at the half and 12-2 when outrebounding its opponents (37-30).
UP NEXT
The Utes wrap up their short home stint with the Ducks of Oregon on Saturday, Jan. 7, for its DARK MODE game. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. (MT) with Roxy Bernstein and Don MacLean on the broadcast as Utah looks to pick up just its third win against Oregon since joining the Pac-12 on Pac-12 Networks.
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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