Slow start dooms Arizona State against Utah

Feb 25, 2016, 9:44 PM

Arizona State forward Eric Jacobsen (21) fights for a rebound with Utah forwards Gabe Bealer (30) and Brekkott Chapman during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. Utah defeated Arizona State 81-46. (AP Photo/George Frey)

(AP Photo/George Frey)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

SALT LAKE CITY — Brekkott Chapman had 15 points and No. 22 Utah blitzed Arizona State 81-46 on Thursday night, scoring the first 15 points of the game and opening a 30-2 lead on the way to its fifth straight victory.

Jordan Loveridge added 14 points, Brandon Taylor had 12 and Dakarai Tucker scored 10 for Utah, which plays its final two regular-season games at home, against Arizona and Colorado.

The Utes (22-7, 11-5 Pac-12), just a half-game back of first-place Oregon, made their first five 3-point attempts, including three by Loveridge, to jump out to a 15-0 lead.

Obinna Oleka scored for ASU, but Utah went on to score another 15 consecutive points. The eye-popping 30-2 lead produced some remarkable statistics: The Sun Devils started 1 for 16 from the field with four shots blocked and had 10 turnovers to go along with that single basket.

Utah guard Lorenzo Bonam (15) lays up a shot past Arizona State forward Eric Jacobsen (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/George Frey)

Arizona State forward Willie Atwood, (2) grabs a rebound from Utah forward Kyle Kuzma (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/George Frey)

Utah forward Jakob Poeltl (42) looks to shoot over Arizona State forward Eric Jacobsen (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/George Frey)

Arizona State forward Obinna Oleka (5) grabs a rebound from Utah forward Jakob Poeltl (42) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/George Frey)

Utah forward Jakob Poeltl (42) blocks the shot of Arizona State forward Willie Atwood (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/George Frey)

Utah forward Jordan Loveridge (21) shoots over Arizona State guard Tra Holder (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/George Frey)

Arizona State guard Tra Holder (0) says that he was fouled, as Utah forward Chris Reyes celebrates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/George Frey)

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