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Four different Utes took the free-throw line in the last four minutes of a game that was never more than nine points apart. They were a combined 13 for 14.
As far as the Utes are concerned, it could've been anyone up on the line, and they would've felt the same way: confident.
Composure defined the Utes in a 81-76 win over San Diego State on Monday night — a win they couldn't seal a year ago. On their home floor, the No. 16 Utes managed to seal a quality win over an annual tournament team, and they did it with balance.
All five starters scored in double digits, led by Jordan Loveridge's 21 point-night. It was a turnaround from their season opener, when the front court carried the load. Against the Aztecs, all the starters had their role to play.
"The amazing part about our team is our team chemistry," Jakob Poeltl said, after his second straight double-double. "Nobody cares who's scoring the points."
But Utah didn't lack for points, scoring 32 more than the last meeting against San Diego State last season. In the first half, Poeltl and Kyle Kuzma were the focal points of the offense, but in the second, Utah's shooters stepped up to hit 41.7 percent of the team's 3-pointers.
The most impressive stretch came at the finish, when San Diego State made four straight field goals and put the Utes at the line, where they haven't always fared well. But Loveridge, Poeltl, Brekkott Chapman and finally Lorenzo Bonam managed to sink almost every free throw in a pressure-packed situation that's as close as it gets to true March Madness.
There was critical error that almost seemed to cost the Utes: Bonam fouled SDSU shooter Trey Kell behind the arc with 9 seconds left. But where the Utes stood tall, the Aztecs buckled: Kell missed his final two shots of three, and Bonam got the rebound and nailed two free throws of his own to seal it with 3 seconds on the clock.
It wasn't the defensive tilt Larry Krystkowiak was expecting, and the Aztecs were able to show some holes in Utah's perimeter defense by hitting 47 percent of their 3-pointers. But the victory showed the depth and variety the Utes have on offense — as well as their ability to respond to pressure.
"I'm really pleased with that," Krystkowiak said. "I've always been a fan of getting a team that has four, five or six guys flirting with double figures. If we can make a habit of that, that would be terrific."
Loveridge was the leader, notching his second game over 20 points to start the year. He was a slump breaker: Each one of his four 3-pointers came after at least one Utah miss.
It took more than 10 minutes for Poeltl to take his first shot, but then he got going quickly in the first half. The Austrian forward showcased his offseason improvements, including an array of pump fakes that left Aztec forwards leaping as he stepped around them.
His 7-foot-3 wingspan also allowed him a major advantage on the glass: He tied the total rebounds he had a year again SDSU, 12, by the first half buzzer. For the game, the Utes were tied in the rebounding department, including 13 offensive boards.
The Utes spurred onto a lead before the first media timeout, but struggled as the Aztecs' defense settled in. During one 16-minute stretch in the first half, the Utes were 5 for 20 from the field, and SDSU led by as much as much as six.
But Utah finished the half hot, on a blistering 17-5 run. A reverse layup by Loveridge and subsequent foul gave the Utes the lead. The Aztecs pulled into a 32-all on a layup from Dakarai Allen, but Loveridge took it back with a deep 3-pointer.
Taylor broke his 0 for 12 slump to start the season on a 3-pointer before the halftime buzzer, giving Utah a 38-32 lead at the break.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Storylines
R All five Utah starters score in double figures.
• Utah hits 13 of its final 14 free throws.
• Jordan Loveridge leads with 21 points, including four 3-pointers.
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More coverage
• For the second straight game, Utah's bench struggles to provide scoring support for the team's starters. > C5