SALT LAKE CITY — With former Ute Kyle Kuzma sitting courtside the night after scoring 41 points for the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah was looking for some scoring magic of their own.
But Washington (11-4, 2-0) never blinked and was the more consistent team throughout, giving Utah (7-8, 1-2) its second loss of Pac-12 play this season in a 69-53 Utes defeat Thursday.
Utah played Washington well enough to keep the game close in the first half and never allowed the Huskies to claim more than an 8-point lead. But seven first-half turnovers and soft defensive play from Utah afforded the Huskies open looks and easy buckets down the stretch to give Washington a 38-30 lead at the half.