Utes Take #10 UCLA To Overtime, But Falls 78-71

Saturday, February 24

Los Angeles, Calif.

3:00 PM

University of Utah

UCLA

23-6, 14-4P12

OT 1

UTAH

UCLA

Photo by: Steve C. Wilson

Utes Take #10 UCLA To Overtime, But Falls 78-71

2/24/2018 6:24 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – It was another close fought battle for the Utes in Pauley Pavilion as they took the No. 10 team in the country to overtime, but UCLA was able to come away with a 78-71 win. Utah is 17-12 overall and 8-10 in Pac-12 play.

There were seven ties throughout the game, including Tilar Clark's layup with one second remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime, 65-65. It was a quick back and forth to start the overtime period with Emily Potter tying the score 67-67 with 4:13 on the clock, but a key three from UCLA moments later put the Bruins up for good.

Utah was able to cut the lead to four with 1:00 left to play in overtime when Tori Williams hit two free throws, but unfortunately the Bruins converted clutch points from the charity stripe themselves down the stretch, claiming the win.

"UCLA is a great team and incredibly talented and well coached," head coach Lynne Roberts said. "I thought our team executed the game plan very well and didn't ever get rattled. We hung in there and every player did their part. We just seemed to run out of of gas a little in overtime and didn't make enough plays."

"I am extremely proud of our team. Two overtime games this weekend, on the road and without our two leading scorers, and our team stuck together and fought. I'm a competitor and hate losing, but my team showed some serious grit and desire this weekend. I am proud to coach them."

Ute senior Emily Potter once again put together an outstanding game, pouring in 24 points along with nine rebounds. Williams added 13 points, two assists and a block while Megan Jacobs was key coming off the bench for nine points and two steals.

It looked like it might be a defensive battle early in the game with neither team scoring until the 8:01 mark in the first quarter, but UCLA threw the first punch with Williams quickly tying the score 5-5 at the 5:07 mark. Utah was able to shoot 41-percent from the floor in the first quarter, even taking a one-point lead on a Kiana Moore three, but headed into the second quarter down 14-13.

The Utes kept it close in the second with Jacobs taking over the game. She scored seven straight points and all nine of her total in the second quarter, helping Utah come back from a 10-point deficit to make it a two-point ball game at halftime. Utah ended the half on a 6-2 run to make it 31-28.

Potter came out ready to go, scoring five straight points to tie the score followed by a wide open three-pointer from Tanaeya BoClair to give Utah a 36-35 lead with 6:57 left in the third. The game continued to be a battle as UCLA held a three-point lead with 3:44 on the clock, but Erika Bean scored a key basket in the paint to cut the Bruin lead to just 45-44 with one quarter to go.

The ties continued into the fourth quarter as Potter scored with 1:06 on the clock to make it 61-61 with Clark scoring seven of her nine points, including the shot that sent the game into overtime. Heading into overtime tied 65-65, Potter was able to tie the game once again with 4:13 remaining in the period, but a three-pointer from UCLA at the 4:02 mark put the Bruins back up by three.

UCLA jumped out to a six-point lead with 2:06 left to play, but Williams was fouled on a three-point shot attempt, hitting two of her free throws to make it a four-point game. The Utes were then forced to foul and were unable to produce on the offensive side of the ball with UCLA's free throws down the stretch sealing the victory.

Utah returns to action when they head to Seattle, Wash. for the 2018 Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament. The Utes are set as the No. 8 seed and are slated to meet Colorado on Thursday, March 1.