Bajema, Smith lead Utah to 90-57 rout of Arizona State at Pac-12 Tournament

Utah guard Jayden Teat (3) shoots over Arizona State guard Braelon Green (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Cole Bajema scored a career-high 22 points, Deivon Smith was one assist shy of his fourth triple-double of the season and Utah rolled over Arizona State 90-57 on Wednesday night in the Pac-12 Tournament.

No. 6-seeded Utah will play No. 3 Colorado in a quarterfinal on Thursday.

Bajema, who scored a career-high 21 points four games ago before scoring 3, 5, and 0 points in the next three games, hit 6 of 9 3-pointers and 7 of 11 shots overall.

Smith had 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Hunter Erickson had 11 points and Gabe Madsen 10 for the Utes (19-13).

Frankie Collins scored 20 points and Kamari Lands 11 for Arizona State (14-18).

Utah shot 70% in the first half and Bajema led the way with 14 points and 4 of 6 3-pointers. The Utes already led 31-18 before Bajema hit three 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions for a 40-18 lead with 4 1/2 minutes to go. The Utes’ lead peaked at 28 points when Bajema made a layup with 90 seconds left and they led 47-22 at halftime.

Bajema hit a 3-pointer to put the Utes up by 33 points midway through the second half and the lead peaked at 35 when Jayden Peat hit a 3 with 43 seconds left.

The Utes finished the game at 59% from the field and made 12 of 26 3-pointers. Arizona State shot 31% overall and made 3 of 19 3-pointers.

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