Utes Struggle Offensively In Loss To Washington

SEATTLE, Wash. – After a strong start in the first half, Utah struggled offensively in the second half, falling to Washington 62-45.

The Utes shot just 28 percent from the field on 14-of-50 shooting, just 5-for-20 shooting in the second half. Eight of their 14 makes were from downtown, on their way to a season-low 45 points.

Washington made 40 percent of their field goals.

Sedrick Barefield was the only Utah player to score in double figures with 12 points, all in the first 12 minutes of the game. Both Gach had 9 points and Riley Battin chipped in 8 points.

Washington had a balanced scoring attack, led by Nahziah Carter with 12 points, Noah Dickerson added 11 points and David Crisp, Matisse Thybulle and Jaylen Nowell all scored 10 points apiece.

Utes Start Hot

Barefield had the hot hand in the first 12 minutes of the game with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from downtown. The Utes had a 10 point lead early but five turnovers kept them from stretching the lead.

Washington tied the game at 20 with 6 minutes left in the first half with a 13-3 run and Utah committing 8 turnovers during a 7 minute stretch.

The Huskies pushed their lead to 28-25 in the last minute of the half on a 6-0 run and Utah shooting 1 of their last 8 from the field.

Dominic Green from Washington hit a three pointer as time expired, sending the Huskies to the locker room with a 33-27 lead.

Utes Can’t Find Rhythm In Second Half

Washington kept the momentum at the start of the second half by going on an 11-2 run to put their lead to 44-29 with 11 minutes left. Utah went over four minutes without scoring.

In the first 12 minutes of the second half, Utah had just two points and committed 7 turnovers.

With 3 minutes left in the game, Utah was 2-for-15 from the field in the second half. Washington had a 20-point lead.

Final Score from Seattle…#GoUtes🏀🔴 | #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/L5Nydg0nNQ

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 21, 2019

Up Next

The Utes dropped to 14-12 overall and 8-6 in Pac-12 play. They will face the Washington State Cougars on Saturday at 6 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

Washington State is 11-15 overall and 4-9 in conference play. Utah beat the Cougars in their previous meeting this season with a 88-70 victory at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on January 12.