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Thursday, February 23
Salt Lake City, UT
9:00 PM
University of Utah
17-12,10-8Pac-12
71
vs
78
UCLA
24-4,15-2Pac-12
1
2
F
UCLA
43
35
78
Utah
31
40
71
Team Stats
UCLA
Utah
FG%
.508
.433
3FG%
.533
.286
FT%
.429
.722
RB
34
37
TO
6
12
STL
6
1
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
10
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Hunter Dyke/Utah Athletics
Runnin' Utes Battle #4 UCLA to the Bitter End in Thursday Night's Loss
2/24/2023 12:30 AM | Men's Basketball
A career-high 25 points from Mike Saunders Jr. was not enough as the Utes took #4 UCLA to the brink before falling 78-71.
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah men's basketball team fought #4/3 UCLA to the bitter end Thursday night and got within 68-64 with 2:38 left to play but ultimately fell to a poised Bruins team 78-71 inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Utah kept pace with UCLA's high-powered offense early on in the game, trailing just 14-12 at the 10:59 media break after back-to-back takes from Mike Saunders Jr. However, the Bruins would go on to hit nine of its next 12 shots from the field to go up 26-14.
The Runnin' Utes (17-12, 10-8 Pac-12) would get as close as 29-22 after Marco Anthony knocked down both of his free throws. UCLA would then hit seven of its next eight from the floor, but a late fadeaway from Lazar Stefanovic brought Utah within 43-31 of the Bruins heading into the break.
Ben Carlson and Branden Carlson got the Utes going early in the second half, scoring nine-straight points for Utah before Saunders drained a huge three to bring them within 52-43 at the 13:58 mark. Down 61-45 after the Bruins (24-4, 15-2 Pac-12) reeled off a 9-2 run with 10:38 left to go, Utah called a timeout to slow things and regroup. That timeout served fruitful as the Runnin' Utes went on a 14-1 run capped up by a lay-in from Marco Anthony to cut UCLA's lead down to 62-59 with 5:11 left on the clock.
However, UCLA veterans Jamie Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell took over down the stretch and answered each and every Utah basket – including the dagger from Jaquez Jr. to put the Bruins on top 74-64 with 1:03 remaining in the game.
Saunders Jr. finished with a career-high 25 points for Utah on 10-of-17 shooting while Br. Carlson chipped in with 14 points and three blocks. Anthony was just a point shy of a double-double, posting nine points on 12 boards – which ties his season high. Bostyn Holt also saw extensive minutes scoring nine points to go with seven rebounds for Utah.
BY THE NUMBERS
Mike Saunders Jr. and freshman Wilguens Jr. Exacte both made their first start as a Ute with Utah down two starting guards … with its 37-34 edge on the glass, Utah has now lost its second-straight game when winning the rebounding battle and 16-4 overall this season when it has won the battle of the boards … despite just committing 12 turnovers, UCLA turned that into a 14-4 edge in points off turnovers against Utah … Utah is now 1-3 all-time against top-10 AP ranked UCLA teams and 0-3 against the fourth-ranked Bruins teams all-time.
UP NEXT
Utah closes out the 2022-23 homestand this Saturday, Feb. 25, when it plays host to USC inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The Runnin' Utes program will also be honoring team manager Harrison Van Dyke, Bostyn Holt, Jaxon Brenchley, Marco Anthony, Eli Ballstaedt and Branden Carlson pregame on the floor starting at the 20-minute mark on the clock. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and honor these six seniors.
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Utah kept pace with UCLA's high-powered offense early on in the game, trailing just 14-12 at the 10:59 media break after back-to-back takes from Mike Saunders Jr. However, the Bruins would go on to hit nine of its next 12 shots from the field to go up 26-14.
SLICING to the basket, @icemikeg3 with the pretty 2??
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 24, 2023
?? https://t.co/8surFedpYz°#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/WIdTnxQqXl
The Runnin' Utes (17-12, 10-8 Pac-12) would get as close as 29-22 after Marco Anthony knocked down both of his free throws. UCLA would then hit seven of its next eight from the floor, but a late fadeaway from Lazar Stefanovic brought Utah within 43-31 of the Bruins heading into the break.
Ben Carlson and Branden Carlson got the Utes going early in the second half, scoring nine-straight points for Utah before Saunders drained a huge three to bring them within 52-43 at the 13:58 mark. Down 61-45 after the Bruins (24-4, 15-2 Pac-12) reeled off a 9-2 run with 10:38 left to go, Utah called a timeout to slow things and regroup. That timeout served fruitful as the Runnin' Utes went on a 14-1 run capped up by a lay-in from Marco Anthony to cut UCLA's lead down to 62-59 with 5:11 left on the clock.
With this bucket, @icemikeg3 sets a new career high??
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 24, 2023
?? https://t.co/8surFedpYz°#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/bzu0AnKUUY
However, UCLA veterans Jamie Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell took over down the stretch and answered each and every Utah basket – including the dagger from Jaquez Jr. to put the Bruins on top 74-64 with 1:03 remaining in the game.
Saunders Jr. finished with a career-high 25 points for Utah on 10-of-17 shooting while Br. Carlson chipped in with 14 points and three blocks. Anthony was just a point shy of a double-double, posting nine points on 12 boards – which ties his season high. Bostyn Holt also saw extensive minutes scoring nine points to go with seven rebounds for Utah.
BY THE NUMBERS
Mike Saunders Jr. and freshman Wilguens Jr. Exacte both made their first start as a Ute with Utah down two starting guards … with its 37-34 edge on the glass, Utah has now lost its second-straight game when winning the rebounding battle and 16-4 overall this season when it has won the battle of the boards … despite just committing 12 turnovers, UCLA turned that into a 14-4 edge in points off turnovers against Utah … Utah is now 1-3 all-time against top-10 AP ranked UCLA teams and 0-3 against the fourth-ranked Bruins teams all-time.
With this bucket, @icemikeg3 sets a new career high??
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 24, 2023
?? https://t.co/8surFedpYz°#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/bzu0AnKUUY
UP NEXT
Utah closes out the 2022-23 homestand this Saturday, Feb. 25, when it plays host to USC inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The Runnin' Utes program will also be honoring team manager Harrison Van Dyke, Bostyn Holt, Jaxon Brenchley, Marco Anthony, Eli Ballstaedt and Branden Carlson pregame on the floor starting at the 20-minute mark on the clock. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and honor these six seniors.
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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