Utah’s third Big 12 Conference game ended like its first two — with a loss. The Runnin’ Utes showed brief, better stretches of competitiveness against No. 3 Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum on Tuesday night, but it still resulted in a 82-59 defeat as the Cyclones wore Utah down. It’s the fourth straight loss for the Utes overall.

After the Utes were blown out in their first two conference games, Craig Smith emphasized his team’s need to keep fighting.