3 takeaways from Utah’s loss to UCF

Here are three takeaways from a loss that dropped Utah’s record to 10-17 overall and 2-12 in Big 12 play on the year. While Utah only led for 10 minutes in the contest, to the Runnin’ Utes’ credit, …

Two free throws from Themus Fulks with 3.7 seconds to play ended up being the difference as UCF beat Utah 73-71 at the Huntsman Center on Saturday night.

Here are three takeaways from a loss that dropped Utah’s record to 10-17 overall and 2-12 in Big 12 play on the year.

In a game of momentum swings, the Knights hit the last shot

While Utah only led for 10 minutes in the contest, to the Runnin’ Utes’ credit, they kept finding ways to fight back and never trailed by double-digits.

After Utah went on a 10-0 run to turn a 59-52 deficit into a 62-59 lead, the lead went back and forth several times.

Going into the final minute, UCF was up three, but Don McHenry hit a corner 3 to tie things up.

On the Knights’ next possession, Utah played good defense for about 25 seconds before Chris Johnson drove and kicked out to an open Jordan Burks, who hit a 3 to make it 71-68.

After a timeout, Utah again went to McHenry for the equalizer, and while he missed the shot, he was fouled and hit all three free throws to make it 71-71.

On UCF’s final possession, officials called Seydou Traore for a foul on Fulks with 3.7 seconds to play and awarded Fulks two free throws, even though it was close whether he was shooting on at the time of the foul.

Utah also had only five fouls at the time.

Fulks made both free throws, and on the inbound, Keanu Dawes threw long to James Okonkwo, who made a short pass to a hard-charging Terrence Brown, whose 3-point attempt was long, ending the game.

Both teams showed resiliency

There were positives and negatives for both teams in respect to how the game played out.

UCF had an 18-7 edge in points off turnovers, while the Utes were better at second-chance points, with a 16-4 advantage.

The Knights, who shot 52.6% in the contest, took control with a 12-2 run late in the first half, but Utah’s 10-0 run in the second half made it a game again.

That all added up to a thrilling game — one between a NCAA tournament hopeful and another fighting to find consistency (and wins) in a coach’s first season.

Fulks led all scorers with 24 points, while Burks added 14.

Utah, which shot 49.1%, had three scorers in double-figures, with Terrence Brown leading the way at 21 points with three rebounds and three assists.

McHenry had 15 points, including those crucial six in the final minute, while Keanu Dawes had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Utes can’t get a second straight win

With only two weeks left in the regular season, Utah is still searching for a win streak in Big 12 play.

The Utes were coming off a 61-56 win at West Virginia that snapped the program’s 15-game road losing streak. That came days after Utah lost a five-point lead with 1:54 to play in a 69-65 loss at Cincinnati.

Utah’s shown a greater competitiveness in Big 12 play recently, but it’s still not equating to more wins.

It leaves the Utes trying to find consistency as the year closes out, and sorting out a plan for Year 2 under Alex Jensen comes into focus.

Source: Utah News