Runnin’ Utes Struggled To Score Against Oregon, Can’t Come Up With The Win
Jan 28, 2023, 8:09 PM
EUGENE, Or – The Runnin’ Utes struggled to score in the second half of their PNW trip to take on Oregon after putting on a solid performance a few days earlier against Oregon State. The Utes had been great as of late as an entire unit, but the streak came to an end in Eugene.
Utah’s troubles started early with a quick exit for shooter Gabe Madsen after a bad landing on defense tweaked his knee and benched him for the rest of the game while Branden Carlson had an off-game shooting. Lazar Stefanovic stepped up valiantly with Utah’s two best players either out or struggling, going 5-13 from the field, 4-8 from the three, and leading in scoring with 14 points but the Utes couldn’t come up with the win, falling 68 – 54.
The Utes finished the night shooting 28% from the field, 35% from the three, and 84% from the free throw line.
Guys fought 'til the very end but ultimately fell 68-56. Back home for a 3-game homestand. #GoUtes
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 29, 2023
Utah Vs. Oregon First Half
Branden Carlson put the Utes on the board with a jumper two, but Utah trailed early, 4-2 two minutes into the game. A trip to the line allowed Carlson to tie things up. On the other end Gabe Madsen landed funny on his leg and had to head to the locker room.
At the first break, the Utes continued to trail, 9-8 to the Ducks, but appeared to be getting into a rhythm.
.@_Lazar_Stef with the smoooooth up-fake and score!!#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/VQwURLUrFI
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 29, 2023
Lazar Stefanovic nailed a big three-point shot out of the break giving Utah their first lead of the game, 11-9 around the 14-minute mark. Oregon answered back with two, tying the score once more not even a minute later. The Ducks continued to pressure the Utes and build more of a lead, 14-11 before the next break.
Out of the break the Utes continued into a 5:34 scoring drought from the field that was only broken when Wilguens Exacte Jr. took a trip to the line cutting Oregon lead to two, 16-14 with about nine left to play. The Ducks wasted no time making it four-points again before turning around and sinking another two for good measure, 20-14.
Bank is open for a few more minutes here in Eugene, right @_Lazar_Stef? 😏#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/7P3nmsh8Rf
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 29, 2023
Utah’s struggles to get points from the field extended to 7:16 going 0-8 through that span. Oregon however had no troubles extending their lead to nine, 23-14 with 6:25 to play. Finally, Worster hits a three for the Utes after missing the last 11 with about four minutes to play. Unfortunately, the Ducks built up a comfortable, 27-17 lead.
Stefanovic got hot late in the half hitting triple threes to help dig the Utes out of the hole they created for themselves earlier in the game, however, Oregon continued to dominate, 36-25 to end the half.
Stefanovic has been a bright spot in this contest for the #Utes. https://t.co/ZiXk5aMRGf
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) January 29, 2023
Utes, Ducks Second Half
By the first break of the second half, Utah managed to not allow the game to get further away from them, but continued to struggle gaining ground. BC and Marco Anthony got things going to start the half, 43-34.
MID-RANGE GAME 💯
cc: @MarcoJAnthony#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/AdoerenVI4— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 29, 2023
A foul on Rollie Worster and trip to the line for Oregon extended their lead 44-34 out of the break with 14:52 remaining in the half. Stefanovic drew his first blood of the half shortly after hitting another three putting Utah up, 43-37.
Make that 4⃣ triples now for @_Lazar_Stef
to keep us within striking distance!#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/ZkdeWBEEKQ— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 29, 2023
Utah’s woes continued dropping down by ten once more to Oregon 52-42 with 9:44 left on the clock. With about eight minutes on the clock, the Ducks extended the lead to 12, 54-42.
With 6:28 remaining, Oregon gained their biggest lead of the game of 16-points. Utah’s long 4:33 scoring drought coupled with the Ducks’ two-minute 6-0 run led to the 58-42 score.
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports
