Ball movement key as unbeaten Utah hosts Cal Poly

Utah coach Alex Jensen always wants his team to hunt for the extra pass.

A full-ball reversal is what he hopes will lead the Utes to success on Thursday night when they face Cal Poly in Salt Lake City.

Utah (5-0) utilized this cross-court passing strategy in an 85-77 home win against Purdue-Fort Wayne on Tuesday.

Season scoring leader Terrence Brown connected on five 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 27 points for the Utes, while Keanu Dawes recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Don McHenry collected 18 points and six assists, and Seydou Traore sank four 3-pointers on his way to 17 points. Utah hit 12 of 29 shots from 3-point range and will have a quick turnaround before it hosts the Mustangs (2-3).

"When you hit a 3 from the third side of the floor, it's usually a much better shot at any level at which you play," Jensen said. "When the 3 is off an assist, it's a sign of a team being together."

While the Utes lit it up from beyond the arc, they were outrebounded 33-31 and outscored in the paint 42-34.

"Some of that is due to lost assignments and our need to block out," Jensen said. "Also, if you pressure the ball, sometimes it gets hard to rebound."

Cal Poly dropped its second straight game with a 90-82 setback at Montana last Friday. Peter Bandelj led the Mustangs with 21 points and Cayden Ward added 15.

Cal Poly coach Mike DeGeorge said his team remains in the adjustment phase when it comes to playing together.

"There are times when we see what's in front of us and are talented and able to execute it," he said. "Then there are times where we get a little frustrated and confused and don't fix problems quick enough."

Mustangs leading scorer Hamad Mousa (17.8 points per game) did not play against Montana due to an undisclosed reason.

--Field Level Media