Utah Missed Opportunities In Loss To No. 4 Oregon
Jan 4, 2020, 5:57 PM
Utah Utes guard Both Gach (11) reacts after not getting a call on a drive to the hoop as Utah and Oregon play in an NCAA basketball game at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. Oregon won 69-64. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah men’s basketball team had a great opportunity in front of them but came up short against No. 4 Oregon, 69-64 at the Huntsman Center.
The Utes trailed by three points and had the ball with 30 seconds remaining but the stifling defense from Oregon prevented Utah from tying the game.
Both Gach scored a career-high 24 points on 9-20 shooting from the field and 4-12 from the three point line. Timmy Allen added a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Final. #GoUtesšš“ pic.twitter.com/r7lKsLRDZr
— Utah Basketballš (@UtahMBB) January 5, 2020
Utah missed some crucial opportunities to take down the Ducks. They shot 13-20 from the free throw line with some of those misses coming on the front end of one-and-ones. They also missed many open shots especially in the first half.
The Utes started the game ice cold shooting the basketball. They made just two of their first 12 field goal attempts and missed their first seven attempts from beyond the arc.
Despite the poor shooting, Utah’s defense did just enough to stay in the game as Oregon struggled offensively as well.
The Ducks outscored Utah 36-31 in the first half. The Utes finished the first half shooting just 32 percent from the field and 29 percent from downtown.
Utah started the second half on a 7-0 run and had the lead momentarily before Oregon silenced the crowd at the Huntsman Center with a 5-0 run of their own.
In the second half, the Utes made 39 percent from the floor to finish the game shooting 35 percent. From downtown, Utah hit just 30 percent in the second half and for the game.
It was a learning experience for the Utes to begin Pac-12 play, facing two of the top 5 teams in the conference, including the No. 4 ranked team in the country and the favorite to win the Pac-12.
Payton Pritchard led the Ducks with 19 points and five assists.
Utah dropped to 10-4 overall and 1-1 in Pac-12 play. They will have 8 days off before they face the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder on Sunday, January 12 at 4 p.m. on ESPNU.
After that game, Utah will face Arizona and Arizona State.
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