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.

Reserve Curtis Jones scored 23 points and No. 3 Iowa State pulled away for an 82-59 win over Utah in a Big 12 Conference matchup Tuesday night in Ames, Iowa.

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