Utah is finding ways to win in the Big 12. On Monday night, that meant outrebounding its opponent — by a wide margin — as the Runnin’ Utes fended off Kansas State 74-69 at the Huntsman Center. That also meant turning a weakness into a strength — Utah has been a weak free-throw shooting team most of the year,

Utah broke a halftime tie and never let Kansas State basketball take the lead in the second period as the Wildcats lost their second straight road game.

Gabe Madsen scored 24 points and became Utah’s career leader in made 3-pointers as the Utes beat No. 17 Kansas 74-67.

Utah bludgeoned K-State in rebounds 51-28. It also attempted 30 free throws and beat the Wildcats 14-7 on second-chance points. Every time the ball was up for grabs in an important situation, it seemed like the Utes were able to corral it and score. The Wildcats were a step slow and spent much of the game committing fouls.

Tuesday night was embarrassing for the Bill Self led Jayhawks, after the game, Self gave a surprising comment during his postgame press conference.