Utes Suffer Long Scoring Drought Against Huskies
Feb 21, 2019, 7:12 PM | Updated: 7:14 pm
Alina Rogers, Utah Athletics
SEATTLE, Wash. – Against the stifling zone defense played by the Washington Huskies, the Utah Utes struggled mightily, going nearly 16 minutes without a made field goal in a 62-45 Washington victory.
Utah’s Riley Battin knocked down a jumper with 4:38 remaining in the first half to bring the score to 25-23 for Washington. From there, the Utes had extremely long dry spell and it wasn’t until Both Gach knocked down a triple with 8:50 left in the game that the Utes finally made another field goal.
Final Score from Seattle…#GoUtes🏀🔴 | #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/L5Nydg0nNQ
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 21, 2019
By then Washington had a 14-point lead at 46-32 and the game was essentially over.
Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak was disappointed in his team’s performance when speaking to the media after the game, but gave plenty of credit to the Huskies.
Our coaching staff are wearing these ribbons & our players are wearing this patch to honor Lauren McCluskey & to raise awareness around relationship violence. #ForLauren pic.twitter.com/OaEZMuDWLC
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 21, 2019
“We could not hit free throws. We didn’t finish around the rim. We had too many turnovers and that is what happens when you don’t score points,” said Krystkowiak. ”But, that is that and that is why they lead the conference in field goal percentage defense. That zone is daunting and we didn’t step up and make plays.”
Hackett Says Utes Couldn’t Hack It
KSL Sports’ Tom Hackett gave his take on why Utah went so long without scoring a field goal.
.@TomCantHackett gives his take on the Utes' inability to score on Washington. pic.twitter.com/TIpH1Ppwpm
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2019
Fans React
Fans on social media reacted live to the Utes’ struggles.
Utah's first field goal of the 2nd half comes with 8:49 left. A span of more than 15 minutes without a basket from the floor.
Impressive D by the Huskies vs. the conference's top offensive squad.
— Brian Bowsher (@brianbowsher) February 21, 2019
Utes have ZERO FGs in the last 15 minutes of play! UW’s Defense is no joke! #UTAHvsUW #GoDawgs @UWAthletics @KimGrinolds @mikevorel
— The Dawg Sled (@dawgsled) February 21, 2019
The Utes will look for an improved performance at Washington State on Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.
