Utah beats Hawaii 66-52

It wasn't very pretty, and frankly it didn't look like basketball at times, but the Utes were able to bounce back and beat Hawaii on Friday night, or Saturday morning depending on where you are located. I’m not sure if you can really take much from this win, but it was hit or miss for the new comers for the Utes.

Sedric Barefield, after a 35 point performance last game, only had 4 points after dealing with foul trouble all game long, and eventually fouled out. David Collette played well, and was a terror down low for Hawaii, but also had some foul trouble to go along with his 17 points.

For the Utes, it was all about just a couple of runs. They were able to pull away a bit at the end of the first half, but it was the ability to get out in transition in the second that allowed Utah to build a lead that ballooned to 20 points at one point. Hawaii battled back to pull it to within 11, but the Utes were able to stop any comeback and pulled away for the win.

The Utes still had too many turnovers with 16, but the officials were pretty whistle happy with the offensive foul calls. Utah will finish the tournament on Christmas with a game against Stephen F Austin, a team Utah played in the NCAA Tournament a couple of years ago.