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Thursday, February 15
Los Angeles, CA
9:00 PM
University of Utah
15-10,6-8Pac-12
64
at
68
USC
10-15,4-10Pac-12
1
2
F
Utah
29
35
64
Southern California
34
34
68
Road Woes Continue in Loss at USC for Men's Basketball
2/16/2024 12:47 AM | Men's Basketball
The Utah men’s basketball team lost a close game down the stretch at USC, 68-64, Thursday night inside the Galen Center.
LOS ANGELES – The Utah men's basketball team couldn't string enough stops down the stretch Thursday night inside the Galen Center as it fell to USC 68-64 to move to 15-10 overall and 6-8 in Pac-12 play.
Opening minutes of the game saw both teams test the waters with a steal from Deivon Smith saw him get rewarded on the ensuing fast break by Cole Bajema for the lay-in. USC struck first with a 9-0 run led by Isaiah Collier – who scored seven of those nine points to put the Utes behind 13-6 at the 11:36 media break. The Trojans added three more out of the timeout, but Smith would end the scoring drought (6:16) for Utah on the offensive side with a reverse lay-up.
Keba Keita had back-to-back baskets behind a pair of defensive plays to cut the lead back down to single-digits before six-straight points from Smith kept Utah within striking distance (29-21) heading into the 3:33 media timeout. The Utes then headed into the locker room down 34-29 thanks to an and-1 from Branden Carlson.
USC (10-15, 4-10 Pac-12) tried to extend its lead into the double-digit realm out of halftime four different times but the Utes were able to answer each instance. However, it couldn't string together stops until Gabe Madsen drained his first triple of the night to bring Utah within 45-39 at the 15:54 timeout. A 9-4 run for Utah followed by a 3-ball from Bajema out of the 13:23 media timeout gave Utah its first lead of the night since being up 6-4. But, the Trojans answered back to regained the lead shortly after, 52-51, heading into the under-12 time out.
After hitting 5-of-7 heading into the break, a scoring drought ensued for Utah led to a 6-0 spurt for the Trojans to take the 58-51 edge with 8:26 left to play. That drought continued for the Runnin' Utes but 5-of-7 from the foul line allowed them to keep within striking distance (64-58) at the final media (3:46).
Collier extended that lead for the bad guys after he knocked down a pair of free throws out of the timeout but not before Utah rallied one last time on the heals of Carlson and Madsen – who cut the Trojan lead down to 66-64 and forced a USC timeout with 1:56 to go.
Utah had opportunities in those final 1:56 with the Trojan's missing a long three coupled with Boogie Ellis missing the front end of his 1-and-1 opportunity. However, a missed jumper, a turnover and block on the final offensive drive saw USC secure the 68-64 win and hand the Utes their 10th-straight road loss dating back to last season.
Smith led all players with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists while going 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. Carlson was the only other Ute in double-figures with 15 points and 7 boards. Keita and Madsen were both on the cusp with 9 points apiece while Madsen also pulled down 7 boards.
UP NEXT
The Utes will get an extra day of rest and prepare for UCLA, who they'll square off against on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 5 p.m. (MT) inside Pauley Pavilion. Dan Hellie and Casey Jacobsen will have the call once again on FS1 as Utah looks to secure the in-season sweep of the Bruins for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
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, X and Instagram.
Opening minutes of the game saw both teams test the waters with a steal from Deivon Smith saw him get rewarded on the ensuing fast break by Cole Bajema for the lay-in. USC struck first with a 9-0 run led by Isaiah Collier – who scored seven of those nine points to put the Utes behind 13-6 at the 11:36 media break. The Trojans added three more out of the timeout, but Smith would end the scoring drought (6:16) for Utah on the offensive side with a reverse lay-up.
Keba Keita had back-to-back baskets behind a pair of defensive plays to cut the lead back down to single-digits before six-straight points from Smith kept Utah within striking distance (29-21) heading into the 3:33 media timeout. The Utes then headed into the locker room down 34-29 thanks to an and-1 from Branden Carlson.
USC (10-15, 4-10 Pac-12) tried to extend its lead into the double-digit realm out of halftime four different times but the Utes were able to answer each instance. However, it couldn't string together stops until Gabe Madsen drained his first triple of the night to bring Utah within 45-39 at the 15:54 timeout. A 9-4 run for Utah followed by a 3-ball from Bajema out of the 13:23 media timeout gave Utah its first lead of the night since being up 6-4. But, the Trojans answered back to regained the lead shortly after, 52-51, heading into the under-12 time out.
After hitting 5-of-7 heading into the break, a scoring drought ensued for Utah led to a 6-0 spurt for the Trojans to take the 58-51 edge with 8:26 left to play. That drought continued for the Runnin' Utes but 5-of-7 from the foul line allowed them to keep within striking distance (64-58) at the final media (3:46).
Collier extended that lead for the bad guys after he knocked down a pair of free throws out of the timeout but not before Utah rallied one last time on the heals of Carlson and Madsen – who cut the Trojan lead down to 66-64 and forced a USC timeout with 1:56 to go.
Utah had opportunities in those final 1:56 with the Trojan's missing a long three coupled with Boogie Ellis missing the front end of his 1-and-1 opportunity. However, a missed jumper, a turnover and block on the final offensive drive saw USC secure the 68-64 win and hand the Utes their 10th-straight road loss dating back to last season.
Smith led all players with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists while going 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. Carlson was the only other Ute in double-figures with 15 points and 7 boards. Keita and Madsen were both on the cusp with 9 points apiece while Madsen also pulled down 7 boards.
UP NEXT
The Utes will get an extra day of rest and prepare for UCLA, who they'll square off against on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 5 p.m. (MT) inside Pauley Pavilion. Dan Hellie and Casey Jacobsen will have the call once again on FS1 as Utah looks to secure the in-season sweep of the Bruins for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
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, X and Instagram.
###
Team Stats
Utah
USC
FG%
.367
.406
3FG%
.190
.200
FT%
.762
.611
RB
39
34
TO
13
8
STL
5
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
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/ Men's BasketballC
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