Instant takeaways: Alec Anigbata, second-half surge power Utah past Weber State

SALT LAKE CITY — Alec Anigbata looked like a different player as Utah basketball raised its intensity after halftime against Weber State and turned a seven-point deficit into a comfortable victory.

The Utes outscored the Wildcats 55-27 in the second half, using a 20-0 run to take control of an 85-64 win Tuesday at the Huntsman Center. After spending the opening half allowing too much easy offense around the basket, Utah became the more aggressive and productive team on both ends.

Alec Anigbata led the Utes with 21 points, Jackson Holcombe added 18, and Trey Campbell finished with 13 points and 10 assists. Taison Chatman contributed 10 points off the bench, while freshman Jaxon Johnson collected a team-high eight rebounds.

Here are five takeaways from Utah’s win.

𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔 ‼️🚨

#GoUtes https://t.co/T2ZnKn4Ex8

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 11, 2026

Utah basketball’s intensity changed the game

Utah came out of halftime with more purpose on both ends. The ball moved, the offense attacked the basket, and the defense applied the kind of pressure that had been missing before the break.

The Utes were allowing Weber State to get comfortable in the first half. The Wildcats scored 28 points in the paint, shot 60.7% and entered halftime leading 37-30. Utah spent too many possessions reacting to what Weber State wanted to do.

That changed when the Utes turned up their on-ball pressure. They made initiating the offense more difficult, played with greater urgency and finished defensive possessions with rebounds. Weber State committed seven second-half turnovers, shot 37% and managed just 10 points in the paint.

That aggression carried over offensively. Utah moved the ball with greater intent, then attacked the opportunities that movement created. Possessions had a direction. The Utes put pressure on the basket instead of relying so heavily on perimeter shots to get them going.

After attempting 17 3-pointers in the first half, Utah took nine in the second. The Utes made 16 of 19 attempts inside the arc and outscored Weber State 32-10 in the paint after the break.

The 20-9 second-half rebounding advantage reflected that same change in energy. Utah was doing more of the work required to take control, and a 55-27 scoring advantage followed.

That’s the version of Utah worth building on. The challenge is getting that level of engagement from the opening tip.

Alec Anigbata played with a different presence

Anigbata’s best showing of the young season carried significance beyond his scoring total. He played with confidence and aggression, looking like someone who knew he was the best player on the floor.

After scoring five points before halftime, Anigbata added 16 as Utah took control in the second half. He finished with 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and made six of his eight free throws. He also collected four rebounds, three on the offensive end, without committing a turnover in 35 minutes.

ALEC FROM DEEEEEP 💥

#GoUtes https://t.co/QeNBFnFRpX

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 11, 2026

The way in which he scored was more encouraging. He got to the rim, he knocked down a stepback 3-pointer, and just showed more to his game tonight than he had in the previous two games.

Anigbata supplied perimeter shooting and applied pressure that produced opportunities at the line. He became a central part of Utah’s offense during the stretch that changed the game.

For a team still establishing its most dependable offensive options, his play tonight was very encouraging. Utah needs players willing to take responsibility for creating something when possessions become difficult.

Babacar Faye made his minutes matter

Babacar Faye’s return offered an encouraging step Tuesday, with the big man giving Utah productive minutes off the bench.

Baba finished with seven points on 3-of-4 shooting and two rebounds in 14 minutes. All seven points came after halftime, contributing to a second-half performance in which Utah became much more aggressive around the basket.

BABA CLIMBS THE LADDER 🫣

#GoUtes https://t.co/bB9gtcfCOm

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 11, 2026

Given the road back, there’s significance in seeing him contribute to a stretch like that. Utah needed more from its supporting cast, and Baba helped provide it. It was a performance he can build on as he works his way back.

The freshmen made their minutes count

Johnson gave Utah productive minutes without needing a large share of its shots.

The true freshman finished with six points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes, making both of his field-goal attempts, including a 3-pointer, and committing no turnovers.

Six of his rebounds came after halftime, helping Utah turn a nearly even first-half rebounding battle into a 36-24 advantage for the game.

That is useful work from a young player establishing his place in the rotation. Johnson scored when opportunities came, but his contribution extended well beyond those baskets. His rebounding helped Utah finish defensive possessions and sustain its second-half control.

Styles Clemons received a much shorter opportunity, supplying two points and a rebound in three minutes without a turnover.

Their contributions were different in scale. Johnson delivered an extended stretch of productive basketball, while Clemons made use of a brief appearance.

Both gave Utah encouraging minutes within their roles.

Holcombe, Campbell kept Utah within reach

Holcombe supplied the offense Utah needed to survive a difficult first half, scoring 15 of its 30 points on 7-of-10 shooting. His teammates combined to go 5 of 21.

He finished with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting in 25 minutes, giving way to Anigbata and others after halftime. The second-half surge decided the game, but Holcombe’s early efficiency kept Utah positioned to make it.

Campbell finished with 13 points and 10 assists against three turnovers, finding ways to contribute despite missing all four of his 3-point attempts.

He accounted for more than half of Utah’s 19 assists and made five of eight shots inside the arc. His five second-half assists helped an offense that became more balanced and efficient after the break.

Utah needs Campbell’s perimeter shooting, but Tuesday showed he can remain productive without it.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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