Utes Rout Southern

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah (2-1) started the game on a run that never seemed to end, defeating Southern University (0-3) 88-48 Saturday night.

In a sign of things to come, the fire alarms in the Huntsman Center went off when the Utes took the court pre-game. A glitch triggered the system during the entrance pyrotechnics, but could have easily been a warning that the Utes would be on fire.

Utah capitalized on poor shooting by Southern to start the game on a 27-6 run and never looked back. The Jaguars made just one of their first 19 shots from the field and were out-rebounded 20-to-9 in the first 12 minutes of the ballgame. The Utes kept up the blistering pace, taking a 52-17 lead into halftime. Shooting has been a problem for the Jaguars, as they came into the game shooting just 31.4% from the field, and they hit just 13.3% of their shots in the first half - the second lowest percentage by a Utah opponent in a half in history.

While the Jaguars were cold, the Utes set a blistering pace, hitting 53.3% from the field and 50% from three in the first half. Balance was the story for the Utes in the first half, as five players scored at least seven points, led by Jordan Cyphers' 12. The Utes also out-rebounded the Jaguars 32-to-11 in the explosive first half. Carlon Brown chipped in with 8 points while Kim Tillie, Marshall Henderson, and David Foster each scored 7 points.

After struggling in the first two ballgames getting the ball in the post, Utah made an effort to find their bigs down low. Foster and Jason Washburn rewarded the coaching staff for the renewed focus, combining for 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Foster had a career game, with several dunks due to great passes by his teammates. Foster finished the game with nine points, seven in the first half. Foster also added nine rebounds and two blocks in just 19 minutes.

Utah played 14 different players, 11 recorded double-digit minutes, and 11 scored. Henderson led the Utes with 13 points. Cyphers did not score in the second half and finished with 12, while Brown was the only other Ute in double figures with 10 points. Shawn Glover had his best game as a Ute, flashing his enormous potential. Glover scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds (three offensive), had two assists, two blocks, and a steal.

Jazz Williams led the Jaguars and all players with 21 points. Earnest Jones had 15. No other Jaguar had more than four points. Southern finished the night hitting 28.3% of their shots and were out-rebounded by the Utes 53-to-27.