Snow fell outside the Huntsman Center Thursday night, and the No. 9-ranked UCLA Bruins nearly fell inside. Emphasis on “almost”. The Runnin’ Utes scared UCLA as nine-point underdogs but fell just short, losing 63-58 at Salt Lake City to suffer their seventh straight loss.
Here are 3 keys to UCLA’s five-point victory:
• Johnny Juzang carried the Bruins, scoring 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting, and UCLA made the biggest plays in the stretch to escape Salt Lake City with a win. The Utes missed a pair of open 3-pointers in the final 20 seconds that would have tied the game, and UCLA’s Jules Bernard sealed it with free throws 1.5 seconds from time.
Utah Utes guard Gach (2) and UCLA Bruins guard Tyger Campbell (10) battle for the loose ball in Salt Lake City Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. UCLA won 63-58.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith celebrates after a Utes defensive line against UCLA in Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
The Utah Utes react late in the game with the UCLA Bruins in Salt Lake City on Thursday Jan. 20, 2022. UCLA won 63-58.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Dusan Mahorcic (21) drives UCLA Bruins guard Tyger Campbell (10) to Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith shouts to his team late in the game in Salt Lake City on Thursday Jan. 20, 2022. UCLA won 63-58.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Jaxon Brenchley (5) celebrates a UCLA driving field goal and foul in Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Dusan Mahorcic (21) and Utah Utes guard Jaxon Brenchley (5) attempt to grab a rebound in Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Riley Battin (11) competes with UCLA Bruins center Myles Johnson (15) and UCLA Bruins goaltender Peyton Watson (23) in Salt Lake City on Thursday January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Eli Ballstaedt (13) defends UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) in Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Marco Anthony (10) shoots UCLA Bruins guard Jules Bernard (1) in Salt Lake City on Thursday January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Dusan Mahorcic (21) competes for the rebound with UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) in Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard David Jenkins Jr. (1) drives UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) to Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Both Gach (2) is fouled by UCLA Bruins forward Cody Riley (2) in Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Jaxon Brenchley (5) shoots a 3-pointer in Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Riley Battin (11) drives UCLA Bruins guard Jake Kyman (13) to Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) looks to pass UCLA Bruins guard Peyton Watson (23) to Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith shouts out to his team in Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Lazar Stefanovic (20) drives UCLA Bruins guard Jake Kyman (13) to Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Lazar Stefanovic (20) celebrates a three-pointer late in the game in Salt Lake City on Thursday Jan. 20, 2022. UCLA won 63-58.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes center Lahat Thioune (0) is surrounded by UCLA defenders in Salt Lake City Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. UCLA won 63-58.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Dusan Mahorcic (21) reacts late in the game with the UCLA Bruins in Salt Lake City on Thursday Jan. 20, 2022. UCLA won 63-58.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Gach (2) and UCLA Bruins guard Tyger Campbell (10) battle for the loose ball in Salt Lake City Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. UCLA won 63-58.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
• Both Gachs scored 3 points with 5:23 remaining to give the Runnin’ Utes a 54-51 lead, but Utah won the next three possessions without scoring and UCLA jumped ahead. Lazar Stefanovic’s triple with 2:13 to go brought the Utes down to within a point, but Utah got just one point on its next three possessions.
• Stefanovic led Utah with 18 points, making four 3-pointers. The Utes finished with 11 3-pointers, while Gach and Gabe Madsen had two apiece.