BERKELEY, Calif.—The game tone was set early for Utah, who turned the ball over six times in the blink of an eye. The Utes (15-7, 6-4 Pac-12) battled against the California Bears, but fell prone to mistakes once again in double overtime, 77-75.
The Utes, who finished with 15 turnovers, dug themselves into an early hole, but weren’t made to pay too dearly as the Bears (16-6, 7-3 Pac-12) didn’t light up the building offensively despite repeated gifts from the road team.
As Utah clawed at the lead, David Collette fell victim to familiar foul trouble, opening up room in the paint in his absence. Upon his full return to the game in the middle of the second half, the Utes closed the gap and eventually took the lead at 51-50 with 6:05 in regulation on a Collette free throw.
Cal’s Charlie Moore made a free throw with three seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 55-55, sending it to overtime. With a handful of layups, jumpers, and several free throws, the two teams found the score knotted at 62, giving the Utes their first double-overtime experience since 2007 against New Mexico.
A flurry of free throws, blended with a jumper from Cal’s Ivan Rabb and five points from teammate Jabari Bird found the game tied at 72 with 44 seconds left in the second overtime.
In a flash, Bird was left open for an NBA-range three, which was immediately matched by Utah’s Lorenzo Bonam in the corner on the other end. Bird, who finished with a game-high 26 points, flushed in the game-winning dunk with just seconds left.
As the losses add up, the Utes are still searching for a marquee win to show to the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. With little opportunity left against only Oregon in Eugene, and while the Utes appear to many to play like a Tournament-caliber team, the resumé is likely too barren to warrant an at-large selection to the Big Dance.
The Utes will head next to Palo Alto to face the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday. Pregame coverage will begin at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN 700, with tipoff at 2:30.
Utah assistant coach Andy Hill Postgame:
Highlights—
1st half:
2nd half:
Overtime:
