Utes collect a bit of payback

Last year's young Utah basketball team suffered a few embarrassing losses, but none was more humiliating than the 27-point defeat to Washington State when the Utes scored only 14 points in the first half.

The Utes talked about payback for the past few days and got it with a convincing 69-55 victory over the Cougars on Saturday night in the Huntsman Center.

Shaun Green led the way with 17 points, including 5 of 5 from 3-point range; Luke Nevill had another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds; Johnny Bryant scored 14; and Lawrence Borha added 11 points. The Utes improved to 3-3 while handing Washington State its first loss in eight games.

Bryant said the Utes talked about last year's humiliating loss and that helped them Saturday night.

"James Brown has a song called 'The Big Payback,"' Bryant said. "The young guys know nothing about it, but the core group of guys (from last year) had a little chip on our shoulder and told them we had to get it. Tonight we were able to get it done."

The Utes were facing a Cougar team that was trying to become the first WSU squad in 59 years to go 8-0. But the Utes showed energy right from the opening tip-off and never let the Cougars into the game, leading by as many as 25 points late in the game.

"This was a good step for us tonight," said Utah coach Ray Giacoletti. "That team was 7-0 and had some good wins on the road. We had good energy.... We're starting to find a good flow offensively."

The Utes got off to a quick start, leading 13-4 and 17-8 before the Cougars crept within three at 20-17.

However, the Utes went on a 14-0 run, holding the Cougars scoreless for more than five minutes to take a 34-17 lead. After Washington State stopped the run with four straight points, Nevill scored just before the buzzer to make it 36-21 at halftime.

In the second half, the Utes extended their lead to 20 at 51-31 on a three-point play by Borha. The margin expanded to as many as 25 points at 65-40 on a 3-pointer by Green with 5:37 left before Giacoletti put his reserves in.

When the Ute bench struggled, allowing 13 straight Cougar points, Giacoletti got nervous enough to put four starters back in with 1:27 left.

Giacoletti was happy he was able to distribute the minutes better, with Nevill and Bryant each playing less than 30 minutes.

Freshman Curtis Eatmon played 12 minutes as the backup point guard and Giacoletti said he has the edge on fellow freshman Luka Drca because of his defense.