SALT LAKE CITY — Kyle Collinsworth may have been the main attraction Wednesday, but the Stars made sure they were the story at the end of the night, blowing out Collinsworth and the Texas Legends 129-100.

Here are my instant observations from Wednesday's game:

Stars are benefitting from Sundiata Gaines' presence

After being acquired Monday and coming off the bench in a loss to Oklahoma City, Gaines made the start alongside Marcus Paige in the backcourt Wednesday. The 30-year-old made the most of the opportunity, scoring 26 points and posting a +30 plus-minus in his time on the court.

Gaines' veteran presence has immediately helped Utah. The nine-year pro is extremely aware on defense, adept at recognizing play calls. His vocal presence helped the Stars get into the right spots on both sides of the floor, and his teammates are recognizing the benefits of his leadership.

"(It's) something that we definitely needed," forward Jermaine Taylor said. "He's vocal, he's a vet, and he brings a voice."

Stars head coach Dean Cooper says Gaines is making a big difference for SLC.

"He's a pro, getting to know the system," Cooper said. "He's very poised and calm. Nothing is going to rattle him. They went on a little run, and he went back in and got us some poise, and that was great."

Great shooting helps Stars win every quarter

Salt Lake City shot 54 percent from the field and 61.3 percent from three, the biggest key to its victory. Cooper said in his pre-game interview that all it would take would be a couple of guys making some shots to help his team get some confidence, and tonight he was correct.

"I thought maybe I was the anti-Nostradamus because I said the one thing I thought we were going to do with our roster was shoot the ball well and that hadn't happened," he said. "It was really good to see, and it lasted throughout the whole game."

Jermaine Taylor led the Stars with 30 points off the bench, going 4 of 4 from 3-point range and shooting 10 for 15 from the floor on the game. Taylor, an eight-year pro, said coming off the bench was something he looked forward to.

"I feel real good in this role," Taylor said. "Coach, he knows what he's doing. He told me he was going to bring me off the bench so I could get more touches and that's exactly what's happen. I know how the NBA works. If I were to get a call-up, I'm not going to be a starter you know? I'd be coming off the bench anyway."

Besides Gaines' 26, Marcus Paige added 22, and Henry Sims added 19 points to pace the Stars.

Kyle Collinsworth falls a little short in his first trip back to Utah

Collinsworth, a star at BYU, made his first trip back to Utah to play basketball tonight, and played decent enough, going 4 for 11 and scoring nine points for the Legends. His coach, Bob McKinnon, was complimentary of his play after the game.

"He's a very good playmaker, teammate, he's got great vision on the court," McKinnon said. "I think he makes his teammates better. That's one of the hallmarks you look for in someone who is going to be a pro; someone who makes his teammates better, and Kyle does that every day."

Ultimately, Collinsworth and the Legends just didn't have enough to keep up with the Stars after playing for the second night in a row, having made the flight into Salt Lake from Reno earlier today. Guard Manny Harris, averaging 35 points a game for the Stars, scored 23 points, but was held largely in check for the Legends.

Collinsworth, a native Utahn, said he'll spend Thanksgiving here with his family and his wife, who is finishing her degree at BYU.

Next up for the Stars is a rematch with the Legends in Texas on Saturday. Stephen Lindsey covers University of Utah men's basketball and football, as well as the SLC Stars for KSL.com. You can interact with him via Twitter at @slthe3.

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