Utah Can't Shoot The Rock In Boulder

The Running Utes dropped another tough Pac 12 game at Colorado

Another first half deficit. Another Pac 12 loss for the Utah men's basketball team as they dropped a 60-50 decision against NCAA tournament bubble team Colorado in Boulder.

The Running Utes were unable to overcome a night of poor shooting, mostly in the second half, knocking down under 39% of their field goal attempts. Colorado didn't fare much better, making only 43%, while attempting the same number of shots as Utah, but the Buffs attempted 20 free throws to the Utes four.

Utah's first half turnovers woes were the main culpirt for a first half 30-28 deficit, despite shooting 50% in the opennig frame.

“We turned the ball over nine times in the first half and then they scored 21 points off our miscues for the game," Head Coach Larry Krystkowiak said. "We were not dealing with their defense on the pick-and-roll effectively, we didn’t get to 50-50 balls and at times we seemed to just throw the ball in the air. At the end though, we missed open baskets. We had a chance to get it to two with an open three-point look but just couldn’t knock it down.”

Utah was led by freshman Jordan Loveridge's 12 points and 7 rebounds in 35 minutes of action, while fellow frosh Brandon Taylor pitched in 10 points and 3 steals. Colorado point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, had 13 points to lead all scorers with the nation's leading rounder, Andre Roberson adding 10 and 13 boards.

Utah ends up splitting the season series with Colorado due to their 58-55 victory at the Huntsman Center earlier this month.

Larry Krystkowiak and company will enjoy a week off before heading to Cal next Thursday for a matchup with the Golden Bears and Pac 12 Player of the Year candidate, Allen Crabbe.