Utah Basketball Suffers Fourth Straight Loss, Falling To Washington State
Jan 8, 2022, 6:19 PM
Utah Utes guard Lazar Stefanovic (20) drives against Washington State Cougars center Dishon Jackson (21) during the game at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah basketball couldn’t get stops on defense and struggled on the offensive end of the floor in their 77-61 loss to Washington State on Saturday.
It’s the fourth straight loss for Utah as they shot just 35% from the field and 22% from the three-point line. Washington State made 12 three-pointers in their win over the Runnin’ Utes at the Huntsman Center.
Both Gach led the Utes with 15 points, while David Jenkins Jr. and Marco Anthony each added 10 points.
Tyrell Roberts scored 17 points to lead Washington State. Michael Flowers chipped in 12 points.
Final. pic.twitter.com/ZRh1sbbqel
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 9, 2022
Utah Can’t Get Stops In Loss To Washington State
It was a very close game throughout the first 15 minutes of the game. Then, Washington State started attacking the basket and utilizing pick-and-roll, which Utah couldn’t stop.
The Cougars went on a 12-2 run over the last 3:54 of the first half and went into the halftime break with a 40-30 lead. David Jenkins had seven points in the first half to lead Utah but shot just 1-of-4 from the floor, while hitting all five of his free throw attempts.
Both Gach added six points off the bench. Utah shot 45% from the floor, just 1-for-5 from the three-point line but made all 11 of their free throw attempts. The Cougars knocked down 61% from the field and went 7-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Utah made three points early in the second half but then went over six minutes without a made field goal. Washington State extended their lead to 19 with under 14 minutes to play in the game.
Washington State finished the game on another run, this time it was 8-0 and Utah missed their nine of their last 10 field goal attempts.
The Runnin’ Utes dropped their record to 8-8 overall and 1-5 in Pac-12 play. They will hit the road to face the Arizona schools beginning with the Arizona State Sun Devils on Thursday, January 13 at 7 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.
