Utah Commits Two Crucial Turnovers Late In Loss To Oregon State

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah men’s basketball team had a couple of chances to win but committed two crucial turnovers late in their 75-70 loss to Oregon State.

Four Utah players scored in double figures in their loss to Oregon State, led by Timmy Allen with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Alfonso Plummer added 15 points. Pelle Larsson scored 12 points and Branden Carlson chipped in 10 points.

Gianni Hunt led Oregon State with a career-high 17 points. Jarod Lucas posted 16 points, while Utah held Ethan Thompson to just 6 points on 2-of-9 shooting from the floor.

Final. pic.twitter.com/B1LQ4P1REH

— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) March 4, 2021

Utah Trio Leads Team To First Half Lead Over Oregon State

The first half took some time for both teams to get going as the Utes and Beavers combined for just over 20 points within the first 10 minutes of the half.

It was a tightly contested first half throughout. Utah’s biggest lead in the half was 6 points, while Oregon State’s was 4 points.

The Runnin’ Utes took a 40-37 halftime lead. Three Utah players combined for 33 points, including Timmy Allen (12), Alfonso Plummer (12) and Branden Carlson (9).

Gianni Hunt led the Beavers with 9 points.

Utes Commit Two Turnovers Late, Falling To Beavers

Oregon State started the second half by outscoring Utah 11-7 and held a one-point lead six minutes into the half. After answering the run midway through the second half, the Utes then trailed by four points with 6:04 left in the game.

Hunt made a three-pointer to give the Beavers their biggest lead of the game of 7 with just over 4 minutes left. Utah responded with back-to-back buckets off of turnovers to trim the OSU lead to three.

Hunt gave the Beavers a five point lead before the Utes hit a three-pointer made by Mikael Jantunen. Jantunen drew a charge and Utah had the ball with 48 seconds left. The Runnin’ Utes couldn’t capitalize as Pelle Larsson turned the ball over. After sending Oregon State to the line, they made just one of two and the Utes trailed by three with 13 seconds left.

Utah turned the ball over again which sealed the deal for Oregon State.

The Utes dropped their record to 10-12 overall and 7-11 in Pac-12 play. They will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, March 6 against Arizona State at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Tip-off will be at 12 p.m. MT and will be televised on FS1.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.