Poeltl scores 19 to lead Utah to 102-72 win over Idaho State


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Idaho State knew it had a significant challenge in Jakob Poeltl, without a single player on its roster that could match the 7-foot center's all-around game. The Austrian center knew it, too.

Poeltl scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds as Utah easily dispatched Idaho State 102-72 Friday night. The sophomore had 51 points in the last two games after setting a career-high Sunday.

The Bengals (2-3) were simply overmatched by a Utah (5-1) team with better athletes and the best player on the floor in Poeltl. The Utes led 57-28 at halftime and never looked back.

The 57-point first half was the highest scoring 20 minutes of the season by the Utes.

Kyle Kuzma scored 17 for the Utes and matched a career-high 12 rebounds. Gabe Bealer added 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the floor. Poeltl also had four blocks, two steals and two assists.

Ali Faruq-Bey scored 18 for Idaho State, but didn't get a ton of help. The Bengals shot 37.7 percent from the field while the Utes shot 59.0 percent.

Idaho State seemed up for the challenge in the first four minutes of the game. The Bengals jumped out to a 13-11 lead with a pair of 3-pointers and a 3-point play. That was as good as it got for the visitors. Utah answered with a 9-0 run and extended its lead with a 15-2 run capped by a steal, break-away sprint dribble and two-hand dunk by Poeltl.

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TIP-INS

Idaho State: The Bengals have lost 24 straight games to Pac-12 teams with the last win coming during the 1986-87 season. ... Idaho State is 0-3 when hitting fewer than 11 3-pointers. It made 10.

Utah: The Utes are 18-0 against Idaho State at home. ... The Utes have won 23 straight nonconference games at home. The last home nonconference loss was Dec. 21, 2012. ... Isaiah Wright had a career high three blocks. ... Brekkott Chapman left with an injury to his right ankle and did not return.

MISMATCH

Idaho State just couldn't match Utah's size and athleticism inside. The Bengals were outscored 48-22 in the paint. The Utes blocked 10 shots and outrebounded Idaho State 42-23.

UP NEXT

Idaho State visits Lamar on Dec. 5.

Utah hosts rival BYU on Wednesday.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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