Utah Utes basketball: Utes run, gun and rebound past Oregon

Talk about a case of history repeating itself.

Eighteen years ago under a second-year head coach, the Utah basketball team defeated Oregon 95-81 in the sixth game of the season to go to 5-1 on the season.

Wednesday night at the Huntsman Center, under second-year coach Jim Boylen, the Utes knocked off Oregon by a score of 95-81 to improve to 5-1 on the season.

Now we're not saying this is a sign of things to come — after all, the Utes went 30-4 that year under coach Rick Majerus. But the Utes certainly seem to be headed in the right direction this season.

The Utes ran and shot the run-and-shoot Ducks right out of the gym while getting contributions from several players in the process.

Tyler Kepkay and Shaun Green came off the bench to score 23 and 21 points, respectively, with a combined 8-for-16 from 3-point range.

Luke Nevill had what Boylen called "the most quiet 18 (points) and 10 (rebounds) since I've been here, " with his fourth double-double of the season.

Luka Drca overcame six turnovers to finish with nine assists, eight points and six rebounds, while taking just one shot on the night. Lawrence Borha scored 11 and freshman Jordan Cyphers added nine.

For this night anyway, the Utes put the "Runnin" back in their name with their highest point total in five seasons.

"Besides our defensive foundation, the second thing we've worked on the most is our running game," said Boylen. "It's been a big point of emphasis."

Boylen said he got a hard time from fans in the summer, who told him "I thought you guys were the Runnin' Utes." He said he likes the fact that his team has the ability to win a game 42-40 or 95-81.

"We're getting there," he said. "That's a goal of ours to become a running team. We play in the half court and share it and also run and share it, and I thought we did both tonight real well."

Utah jumped out to a 54-42 halftime lead and led by as many as 19 points in the second half.

In the early going, the Utes had several passes picked off on the wings, as the Ducks led 15-12 and 18-17. But after Green sank a 3-pointer and Kepkay followed with back-to-back layups, the second off a steal, the Utes were ahead to stay.