Utes Hold Oregon To Just 18 Points In First Half
Mar 14, 2019, 10:51 PM
Utah Utes forward Donnie Tillman (3) screams after being fouled by Colorado Buffaloes guard D'Shawn Schwartz (5) on a dunk as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. (Scott Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott Winterton, Deseret News)
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Despite having a shaky tournament history against the Ducks, the Utah Utes put together a strong defensive first half against Oregon, holding the Ducks to just 18 points in the opening 20 minutes. At the break, the Utes led 24-18.
It’s a shocking number considering how many points the Ducks put up in a 83-51 thumping of Washington State in their opening round game of the Pac-12 Tournament.
Utah’s Donnie Tillman nearly put up as many points as the entire Oregon squad with 12 points to start the game.
Halftime from Las Vegas. #Utes up 6pts. Tillman with 12pts so far. #GoUtes🏀🔴 | #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/4IeP8aiisR
— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) March 15, 2019
Oregon shot poorly in the first half, converting on just 8-of-29 attempts for 27.6 percent.
The Utes didn’t shoot much better, going 8-for-21, but managed to make 7-of-9 from the foul line while the Ducks didn’t have a single attempt from the charity stripe.
Utah managed to build its early lead despite its star guard, Sedrick Barefield, receiving two quick fouls and having to sit on the bench after just eight minutes of action.
The winner of the game will face Arizona State in the semifinals on Friday at 9:30 p.m.
