Branden Carlson scored a career-high 21 points in just 21 minutes to lead the Utah Utes past Sacramento State 89-56 Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

The Utes won their second straight game to start the season under new coach Craig Smith and also highlighted the return of former Utah player Both Gach.

Gach, a senior guard who played his first two collegiate seasons with the Utes, received an eligibility waiver from the NCAA on Friday, allowing him to play this season after transferring back following a season at Minnesota. Gach was Utah's second-leading scorer with 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting.

Bryce Fowler was the Hornets' only player in double figures, scoring 12 points. The shot only 31.3 percent from the floor.

Marco Anthony had a well-rounded game for Utah, totaling 16 rebounds, six points and six assists. Thirteen players got playing time and 12 scored as the Utes shot 45.2 percent overall and doubled their guests on the boards 58-29.

Forty seconds into the game, Carlson made a slick drive down the paint but then missed a wide-open dunk. He didn't miss much the rest of the way while leading the Utes on 8-of-10 shooting. His previous career-high was 18 points against Washington on Jan. 24.

Gach wasted little time in making an impact. Seconds after checking in early in the first half, Gach tossed a perfect lob to Carlson for a dunk. That slick play sparked a 9-0 run for Utah.

The Utes cruised into the locker room up 45-30 at halftime, and then opened the second half on a 16-6 run to go up 61-36.

Lazar Stefanovic and Rollie Worster each scored nine points for Utah, with six other players notching at least five points.

--Field Level Media