SALT LAKE CITY — It was close, but in the end, the Runnin' Utes managed to hold off UVU and deprive the Wolverines of a BYU-Utah sweep, winning 87-80 Tuesday in Salt Lake City.

JoJo Zamora paced the Utes with 17, while Kyle Kuzma added 16 points and 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.

Here are my instant observations from Tuesday's contest:

Utah struggles to protect the rim

The Utes have been dominant on the boards almost all season, but tonight UVU pushed them to the brim. The Wolverines grabbed 34 rebounds, one short of Utah's 35, and added nine offensive rebounds. Junior Isaac Neilson, a transfer from BYU, scored 28 points and added 15 rebounds, dominating the game all night. Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak called Neilson's performance impressive.

"The big fella had one of his best games ever," Krystkowiak said. "We really struggled to guard the pick and roll, though. It's a little bit of a pick your poison. I give a lot of credit to Neilson inside. He did a nice job finishing, presented a problem for us. They had a nice plan for our initial pick and roll coverage and hit him on some little pocket passes down the middle of the lane."

UVU outscored Utah 46-34 in the paint, adding nine second-chance points. While Krystkowiak admitted the Utes' principal focus was to take away the 3-point shot from the Wolverines, Utah will still need to figure out a way to protect the rim at a higher level. Tyler Rawson is a big upgrade over Jayce Johnson offensively, but is nowhere near the physical presence Johnson is on the glass or at the rim. Pick your poison, indeed.

Free throws, 3-point shooting paces Utah on offense

After a rough start from the line saw the Utes 3-for-7 from the free-throw line, the Utes managed to shoot 12-for-13 the rest of the way, and 75 percent on the night. Their efficient night from the 3-point line was also key, as they went 10-for-22 and 45 percent.

"It was the free throws we were making with eight and six and four minutes left when we were both in the double bonus, those are huge as well," Krystkowiak said. "It always seems like a little thing. Free throws are a little thing, and you don't realize how important they are. But we've been putting a lot of time in, and as the season goes on, you hope guys find a rhythm and are able to make a higher percentage than the early part of the season.

Ultimately, it was one 3-point shot and four free throws that iced the game for the Utes. Parker Van Dyke hit a huge three to put the Utes up by five with less than a minute to play, and JoJo Zamora hit the four crucial free throws that would close it out for Utah.

Kuzma's poor shooting night not affecting his stat line

Kyle Kuzma would not let a poor shooting night deter him from making an impact on the game. Though he shot just 7-for-17 from the field, and 0-for-3 from the 3-point line, the junior finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds while adding two assists.

"Kuz kind of set the tone for us that we're going to get out and get this thing going offensively," Krystkowiak said.

Kuzma, shooting an ugly 21 percent from the 3-point line going into tonight's game, says that getting his shooting back is just a matter of gaining confidence.

"It's just a lot of confidence, confidence in shooting threes, shooting from the field," Kuzma said. "That's what it boils down to. I know they're going to fall eventually. Good things happen to people that work hard."

Extra notes:

• The Utes held Kenneth Ogbe to just three points in his return to the Huntsman center, but were a little bit more charitable and loving after the game. Associate head coach Tommy Connor, Kyle Kuzma and Jake Connor, among others, were seen after both teams left the locker rooms on their way home giving Ogbe a hug and wishing him well the rest of the season.
• Larry Krystkowiak remarked briefly on his summer operation to remove his cancerous thyroid, saying that he wished he hadn't remarked on it in his weekly coaches show, but added that he's grateful he had the "Huntsman outfit" to help rid him of cancer, also adding he's now "fit as a fiddle."

Stephen Lindsey covers Utah athletics for KSL.com, as well as the SLC Stars and prep sports. Get in touch with him via Twitter at @slthe3.

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