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From the slick on-court projection that preceded starting lineup introduction, to the 79-55 beating Utah put on USC, the 14,140 fans who packed Huntsman Center couldn't have asked for a better beginning to conference play.
Pac-12 openers haven't been kind to Utah in the past: Larry Krystkowiak was 0-for-3 in the first game of conference slate headed into Friday night. A 24-point win is one way to break free of the past.
"I'm glad," Krystkowiak said when reminded of his bad luck in his previous seasons. "I think the slate is wiped clean for everybody."
It came down to defense — the side of the ball where the No. 10 Runnin' Utes have staked their reputation.
USC couldn't penetrate efficiently in the first half, hitting a wall against Utah's interior. The Trojans shot under 27 percent for the first half, even missing their second-chance opportunities.
The key was a powerful paint presence: USC was shot under 43 percent on two-point attempts. Even though both Trojan starting forwards had 14 points apiece, any baskets were hard-fought going against Utah's front court. Both Dallin Bachynski and Chris Reyes had two blocks apiece.
Leading scorer Jordan McLaughlin also had a rough night, being guarded by the likes of Delon Wright and Brandon Taylor, getting gummed up for 6 points on 3 for 10 shooting.
It was the kind of statement Utah hoped to make for its Pac-12 opener.
"It was a solid game from everybody," Wright said. "Everybody contributed. We're happy with our win."
After an underwhelming first four minutes, Utah took off and didn't stop until it had polished off a 20-4 run. USC began the game in a 2-3 zone that was quickly broken by 3-pointers from Loveridge, Tucker and Chapman.
Wright also took the Trojan's fleet-footed backcourt off the dribble a handful of times, getting layups on impressive drives when he chose to strike, or otherwise dishing off. The senior finished 4 for 8 with 11 points and 10 assists.
Krystkowiak credited assistant coach Andy Hill with helping install some different attacks to the zone that had bothered them early in the year.
"We knew if we could score against the zone early, it might put it to bed," Krystkowiak said.
It didn't just put the zone to sleep — USC's defensive effort disappeared as well.
Utah shot 57 percent from the field for the game, knocking back 11 of 19 3-pointers. Utah's inside presence was hampered by foul trouble for Jakob Poeltl, but the team got some gritty scoring from Reyes, Bachynski and Brekkott Chapman.
Loveridge led Utah's scorers for the second time in as many games since his return. He hit the first shot of the game, a 3-ball, and ended up 5 for 8 from the field.
The second half sparked a transition to a high tempo feel, as both Utah and USC ran up and down the floor. But the Utes didn't let the Trojans run away with it, matching them hoop-for-hoop. The eighth-fastest offense in the country got only six points on fast breaks.
The most notable bucket of the second half came with 1:30 left, as walk-on senior Austin Eastman sunk his first basket of the year, a 3-pointer to stand as the final field goal from Utah.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Storylines
P Utes shoot 57 percent from the field.
• USC shoots only 26.5 percent in the first half.
• Jordan Loveridge leads with 14 points. —
No. 10 Utah 79, Southern Cal 55
SOUTHERN CAL (8-5)
Reinhardt 2-7 0-0 5, Martin 6-10 0-2 14, McLaughlin 3-10 0-0 6, Stewart 0-5 0-0 0, Jovanovic 6-12 2-3 14, Clark 0-2 0-0 0, Dukes 1-1 0-0 2, Jacobs 5-11 0-0 10, Gavrilovic 1-2 0-0 2, Pflueger 0-0 0-0 0, Marquetti 1-5 0-0 2.
Totals 25-65 2-5 55.
UTAH (11-2)
Taylor 3-5 2-2 11, Reyes 3-6 0-2 6, Loveridge 5-8 1-3 14, Poeltl 2-4 0-0 4, D. Wright 4-8 3-5 11, Chapman 3-4 1-2 8, I. Wright 0-0 0-0 0, Tucker 4-8 0-0 10, Eastman 1-1 0-0 3, Ogbe 2-3 0-0 5, Bachynski 2-3 3-6 7, Kuzma 0-0 0-0 0, Olsen 0-1 0-0 0.
Totals 29-51 10-20 79.
Halftime—Utah 39-22. 3-Point Goals—Southern Cal 3-13 (Martin 2-3, Reinhardt 1-3, Jacobs 0-1, Stewart 0-1, McLaughlin 0-2, Marquetti 0-3), Utah 11-19 (Taylor 3-4, Loveridge 3-5, Tucker 2-6, Eastman 1-1, Chapman 1-1, Ogbe 1-2). Fouled Out—Jacobs. Rebounds—Southern Cal 32 (Jovanovic, Martin 6), Utah 38 (Reyes 9). Assists—Southern Cal 11 (Jacobs 4), Utah 19 (D. Wright 10). Total Fouls—Southern Cal 18, Utah 13. A—NA.