Utah Controls Peterson, Fullerton

If it wasn’t already, the word is definitely out on how to defend Cal State Fullerton center Winston Peterson.

Utah’s strategy of double teaming the Titans’ leading scorer worked perfectly, as Utah’s basketball team cruised to an 84-63 non-conference victory Tuesday night.

In the last three games, the 6-foot-6 center has not scored more than 17 points after scoring at least 23 points in the previous four contests.

Nearly every time he touched the ball Tuesday, Utah swarmed him with at least two 6-9 players. The result was five points on one-of-seven shooting. He entered the game averaging 20.9 points.

“They did a great job on Peterson,” said Coach Bob Hawking, whose team dropped to 3-5. “If you stop the leading scorer, it’s kind of a good way to plan your strategy.”

Utah’s strategy was simple: first, Keep Peterson away from the baseline, and then double team him once he gets the ball.

With his game taken away, Peterson began forcing the issue in the second half, when he missed all five of his shots.

“He was frustrated,” Hawking said. “We’ll try to make some adjustments. We’ll have some things to work on offensively to free him up.”

It was a difficult night all around for Peterson, whose five rebounds were half his season average. Giving away several inches across the frontline, the Titans were outrebounded, 42-26.

“I thought that was the key,” Hawking said. “They physically dominated us on the boards, which upped their field-goal percentage because they had a bunch of second efforts.”

Utah (8-2) shot 53% from the field, Fullerton 36%.

Utah’s two Southern California stars, Keith Van Horn of Diamond Bar and Brandon Jessie of Huntington Beach, combined for 43 points and 16 rebounds. Van Horn had 24 points, Jessie 19. Each had eight rebounds.

Van Horn and Jessie scored 14 of Utah’s last 17 points in the first half to help the Utes take a 50-32 halftime lead.

Van Horn scored on a three-point shot, two dunks and two free throws. Jessie added a dunk and a three-point play.

“They’re both outstanding players,” Hawking said.