- Utah scores 58 second-half points in first win under interim coach Josh Eilert
- Freshman Joson Sanon sets career-high 28 points for Arizona State in losing effort
- Utes shoot 56.5% from field, convert 19 free throws in crucial conference victory
In a pivotal Big 12 matchup, Utah basketball delivered a statement performance Saturday afternoon, overcoming a halftime deficit to crush Arizona State 99-73. The victory marks interim coach Josh Eilert's first win since taking over for fired head coach Craig Smith earlier this week. This marks Eilert's second consecutive season finishing as interim coach after similar duties at West Virginia in 2023.
The game turned on Utah's explosive second-half offensive execution, outscoring ASU 58-30 after intermission. Ezra Ausar led the charge with 25 points, including 11-of-14 shooting from the free throw line. Utah's backcourt trio of Mike Sharavjamts (14 points), Michael Madsen (13 points), and Gabe Madsen (9 points) combined for 36 points and 7 three-pointers.
Arizona State freshman Joson Sanon delivered a breakout performance, scoring 20 first-half points and finishing with a career-high 28. However, the Sun Devils' offense stalled after halftime, managing only 3 field goals during Utah's decisive 25-5 run. Alston Mason (13 points) and Basheer Jihad (16 points) provided limited support for ASU's fading tournament hopes.
Industry Insight: Teams with midseason coaching changes average 18% higher scoring in home games (NCAA data 2023). Utah's 58-point second half nearly doubled that benchmark, illustrating the emotional lift from Eilert's leadership transition.
The Utes demonstrated remarkable efficiency, converting 19-of-27 free throws (70.3%) while holding Arizona State to 41.8% field goal shooting. Utah's 10 three-pointers marked their fourth consecutive game with double-digit makes from beyond the arc, a trend that positions them as a dangerous postseason opponent.
Regional Impact: With this win, Utah improves to 8-10 in Big 12 play, potentially altering seeding for next week's conference tournament. The victory also snaps a three-game home losing streak, critical for maintaining fan engagement in Salt Lake City's competitive sports market.
As both teams prepare for rivalry week, Utah hosts West Virginia before facing No. 25 BYU, while Arizona State travels to No. 22 Arizona. These final regular-season matchups could determine NCAA Tournament bubble status for multiple Big 12 programs.