SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah men’s basketball team struggled offensively in their 76-62 loss to TCU in Fort Worth on Wednesday night.

Both Gach and Branden Carlson led the way with 16 points apiece for Utah. The Runnin’ Utes shot just 34% from the field and just 3-for-20 from the three-point line.

Mike Miles led TCU with a career-high-tying 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds and four assists. The Horned Frogs shot 45% from the field and 27% from the three-point line.

Final from @DickiesArena pic.twitter.com/Xz4FlePWsn

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) December 9, 2021

Utah Basketball Struggles With Big TCU Run At End Of First Half

Utah got off to a strong start as their biggest lead was 11-5 early in the first half. But as time went on, TCU started to settle into the game.

It was a back and forth affair early before Utah started to struggle down the stretch of the first half as TCU went on a 10-0 run after the game was tied at 22. TCU took a 36-27 lead into the halftime break.

Both Gach led the way with seven points in the first half for the Runnin’ Utes. Branden Carlson added six points. Utah shot 38% from the field and missed all eight of their three-point attempts.

After scoring their first seven points of the game, Mike Miles ended the first half with 15 points for the Horned Frogs.

The start of the second half was an extension from the end of the first half as the Utes were still cold as they went through a stretch of over three minutes without a field goal.

Utah couldn’t regroup from that late first half run and were outscored 40-35 in the second half.

The Runnin’ Utes dropped their record to 6-3. They will return to the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday, December 11 to host Manhattan at 3 p.m. MT on the Pac-12 Network.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.

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