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SALT LAKE CITY, -- Luke Nevill had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and the Utah Utes scored the first 11 points of the game to cruise to a 72-48 victory over Utah State on Wednesday night.
It was the biggest victory for the Utes over their state rivals since a 35-point win in 1999.
The Utes made nine three-pointers, and Tyler Kepkay buried three of them -- including two in a row to start the game and ignite the Utes (5-2) to their third straight win. Kepkay finished with 11 points, while Kim Tillie added 16 and the Utes held Utah State's Jaycee Carroll to 11 points -- nine below his average.
The Aggies rallied briefly in the second half, cutting the lead to 47-37 on a three-pointer by Desmond Stephens with 13:14 remaining.
But the Utes answered with six straight points to keep control, sending the Aggies (5-5) to their fourth straight road loss and continuing their worst start in 12 years.
Utah State's Gary Wilkinson scored 12 points to lead his team, but the Aggies shot only 37.8 percent.
The Utes jumped to an 11-0 lead in the first two minutes, behind Kepkay's three-pointers and a dunk by Nevill. The Utes stretched the lead to 22-6 midway through the half, and never allowed the Aggies closer than 11 before halftime.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
