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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Josh Watkins scored a career-high 26 points in a 72-67 Utah win over Portland Monday.
Jason Washburn had 18 points and Cedric Martin added 11 as the Utes (3-8) won consecutive games for the first time this season after dropping eight straight.
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Nemanja Mitrovic scored 14 points, including two late 3-pointers to keep the Pilots (3-9) within reach, but Portland dropped to 0-6 in road games and has lost nine of its last 10 contests.
In the final minutes, the Utes looked to Watkins to create offense and relied on three big defensive plays to lock down the win. Washburn blocked a pair of layup attempts and Martin took a charge from Nicholas, fouling him out with 1:25 to play.
Watkins, who made 11 for 16 from the line, scored 13 of Utah's final 21 points as the Utes went almost exclusively to the pick-and-roll on offense down the stretch.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
