Utah Runnin’ Utes get going in second half, cruise past Central Arkansas Bears

Utah Utes Timmy Allen (1), Eli Ballstaedt (13) and Mikael Jantunen (20) celebrate during an NCAA men’s basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Utah defeated Central Arkansas 98-67. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah men’s basketball team couldn’t have asked for much more to go its way in the second half of its game against Central Arkansas Saturday afternoon. The Utes were dominant on both sides of the ball over the final 20 minutes with the effort ending in a 98-67 pummeling over the visiting Bears.

But in the first meeting between the two teams, Utah didn’t find the same dominating result out the gate. Central Arkansas won the tipoff and proved a pesky opponent, cutting Utah’s leads down to 30-26 with 8:01 left in the first half.

The Bears embraced the underdog role over the first 20 minutes, outrebounding Utah and keeping the game within reach with a 55-42 score at halftime.

“We did need to make some adjustments at halftime, we gave up 53% field goal shooting, some guys didn’t bring the effort that we needed and we were outrebounded,” said Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak. “So I challenged some guys to take more importance and priority in getting those stops and that’s kind of what happened.”

Utah’s defense frustrated a Bears’ offense that scored 42 points in the first half by holding them to only four points over the first nine and half minutes of the second half. That stretch included a 31-6 run by Utah with Alfonso Plummer hitting a 3-pointer to put Utah up 86-48 with 10:52 left to play in the game.

“The message that we got (at halftime) was play harder,” said Utah’s Mikael Jantunen. “We’ve got to execute on defense, play hard. That’s what we did. We played good defense to begin the second half and that helps the offense too — so that was a big message for us.”

Krystkowiak said the coaching staff stressed defense and not letting their guard down to the players at halftime. The coach enjoyed the outcome after his players listened and never let the Bears get into an offensive or defensive rhythm in the second half.

“It’s fun when you don’t have to call plays for our guys because they are coming off transition,” said Krystkowiak.

During the 31-6 run, Utah had defensive stop after stop that resulted in the transition basketball. It was a fun stretch to watch for the fans as the Utes moved the ball as well as they have all season.

“We were flowing, kind of reminded me of the Mississippi Valley State game a little bit from earlier in the year, “ said Utah’s Jaxon Brenchley. “Stuff was clicking, and we were hitting shots. It was a fun time to play with teammates.”

Utah finished the night with six players in double figures. Timmy Allen led the way with 24 points, 19 of which came in the first half. It was Allen’s fifth game with 20 or more points. Plummer finished with a season-best 18 points with 16 coming in the second half.

“I was proud of a lion’s share of our team who responded really well,” said Krystkowiak. “We shared the basketball well and a couple of guys got out of shooting slump.”

The one thing the coach was disappointed in was that Utah was outrebounded in the game 44-39.

“We’ve got a week of practice before our next game and we have to be better at rebounding when we go against Weber State,” said Krystkowiak.

The week is coming at a good time. Starting guard Rylan Jones left Saturday’s game after nine minutes of play with a rib injury; Krystkowiak said he didn’t know how bad it was. The few small injuries Utah has had in the preseason have kept some players from conditioning, another thing the coach is hoping his team can work on with the week of practice ahead.

The game against Weber State is Dec. 14 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as a part of the Beehive Classic.

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