EUGENE, OR – The University of Utah Runnin’ Utes had a tall task on Thursday night as they traveled to Oregon to face the 7th ranked Ducks and had to do it without their best player, Kyle Kuzma, who turned his ankle in practice and was not able to go against Oregon. Utah started out the game flat offensively but it wasn’t a big run that broke Oregon’s lead out, it was very slowly. Just getting a stop here and there and scoring a few buckets. Utah would go in multiple stints without scoring over two minutes at a time. They would fall to Oregon 79-61 and fall 17-9 overall and 8-6 in the Pac-12.
Red-Shirt Freshman Jayce Johnson led the Utes with his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. David Collette was the only other Ute in double figures with 12 points. Three Oregon players scored in double figures (Dillon Brooks 20, Jordan Bell 17 and Tyler Dorsey 16). Utah shot 38% (26-68) from the field compared to Oregon’s 53% (31-58). Utah struggled shooting from downtown as well shooting 3 of 19.
First Half Highlights:
Second Half Highlights:
Utah Assistant Coach Andy Hill:
Utah Center Jayce Johnson:
The Utes will be back in action on Sunday when they travel to Corvallis to face the Oregon State Beavers. Pregame coverage will begin at 4:30 with a 6:30 tipoff on ESPN 700.
