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First they were foiled by transfer rules. Then a twist of Kyle Kuzma's ankle.

But on Sunday afternoon — fortuitously at the start of Pac-12 play — the Runnin' Utes were finally whole again. And in a 76-60 pummeling of Colorado, they looked dangerous as well.

Nothing emphasized that point more than senior guard Lorenzo Bonam flushing a vicious, one-handed dunk in the face of a Buffalo defender, setting afire the 12,108 fans who ambled out to Sunday game at the Huntsman Center.

Said coach Larry Krystkowiak: "This was our second game where we had every bullet loaded and ready to use."

It was domination, particularly in a second half that saw Utah leap to a 22-8 run. With multiple weapons to its quick-strike offense, the Utes (10-3, 1-0) had the Buffs (10-4, 0-1) beaten to get out to a 1-0 start in the league. They beat their first respectable opponent, and in doing so issued a warning of what they can be.

Back in the starting lineup, Bonam led with 15 points, while junior David Collette and a healthy Kuzma scored 14 each. The team shot 52 percent from the field, with more assists (18) than turnovers (10). That last point had been emphasized in practice after Utah had more giveaways than dimes in each of their Diamond Head Classic.

"It's about time," Collette said, peering at the stat sheet.

Sophomore Sedrick Barefield led the way in passing with a season-high eight assists. And overall, Krystkowiak felt the game itself was a step closer to his vision of a team with many threats but no clear-cut star.

"We have six guys averaging double figures and Tyler [Rawson] is a close seventh — I'm almost certain that's not happening [elsewhere] in college basketball," he said. "I love having a team that has a lot of different firepower and weapons."

Against a Colorado team known for defense and rebounding, the Utes beat or matched them at both. They pulled an even 33-all on the glass, and held the Buffaloes to 40 percent shooting from the field. The Utes outscored the Buffs by 14 points in the paint, both on post-ups by Collette and dunks and layups from the perimeter attackers.

While Derrick White and George King scored in double figures, CU's offense was often extinguished in the middle of Utah's zone. Krystkowiak said the Utes "worked their butts off" on their zone scheme in practice, devoting at least half an hour to it every day.

Utah led by seven at halftime, but hit the gas after intermission with a 7-0 run powered by Bonam. Within minutes, Utah's lead had stretched to double digits, then to 20 points. By the game's final eight minutes, Utah was delighting with highlight-reel dunks from Bonam and Kuzma — the result long decided.

The early path to victory was slow going: Utah spotted the Buffs a 10-2 lead to start, turning over the ball three times. Krystkowiak called a timeout after the third, a careless pass by Barefield intercepted and scored by Xavier Johnson.

But Kuzma's return after three games sitting out with an ankle sprain helped the Utes pull back into it. While he was listed as a game-time decision, Kuzma warmed up and started on his way to a seventh straight full game with 11 points or more.

"I was kind of angry I didn't play in Hawaii, because I thought we could've won and taken advantage of a few things," he said. "But a good comeback, for sure."

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon —

Storylines

R Four Utes score in double figures, led by Lorenzo Bonam with 15 points.

• Utah has 18 assists to 10 turnovers and shoots 52.5 percent from the field.

• Colorado is held to 40 percent shooting, led by Derrick White (15 points).

More coverage • Kuzma, Collette start for Utes despite injury concerns. > B2