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SALT LAKE CITY — Turn it up to 11.
Utah's Lazar Stefanovic hit a 3-pointer with 14:38 left in the first half to take an 11-9 lead over an Oregon team looking for its first sweep in conference play this season. Up to that point, it had been a good back-and-forth game between the two teams.
And then Utah remembered it was playing Oregon.
The Utes then failed to make a field goal over the next 10 minutes of game time and allowed the Ducks to take a 13-point lead, though it felt more like 30 points in an all-consuming effort. But Utah's Rollie Worster finally ended the drought with a 3-pointer with 4:37 left in the half to give Utah a sense of life.
Utah, which shot 28% from the field in the first half and lost one of its best scorers in Gabe Madsen early due to an injury, managed to make it an 11-point game at the halftime break. But the first-half damage sunk the Utes, and the Ducks went on to claim its 11th straight win against Utah, 68-56.
The second half faired better for Utah (15-8, 8-4 Pac-12) for the first 10 minutes, but the team couldn't overcome the early deficit. Utah had a chance to make it a 5-point game but struggled to convert on the offensive end in the opportunities presented to the team.
Oregon (13-9, 7-4 Pac-12) didn't wait too long before building up a game-high 16-point lead amid a three-minute stretch where the Ducks had four turnovers. Despite the home team's turnovers, it happened to line up with another long scoring drought for the Utes that lasted more than eight minutes of game time.
It was all just too much for a Utah team that needed a win to boost a resume that was considered to be on the bubble for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. Utah was a half a game out of first place in the Pac-12 before Saturday's loss; it now sits in fourth place.
Utah made a late run behind an 8-0 run to make it an 8-point game, but it was too little, too late for the Utes.
Oregon got the win in a balanced scoring night from the team, and was led by Jermaine Couisnard, who had 18 points, five rebounds and four assists on the night. Will Richardson added 12 points, including a deep 3-pointer after dribbling out the clock late in the game, and seven assists.
N'Faly Dante, who was limited due to a previous injury, Nate Bittle, and Quincy Guerrier added 9 points apiece. Dante also contributed 10 rebounds for an Oregon team that outrebounded Utah 41-32.
Stefanovic led Utah with 14 points, which included four made 3-pointers, and four rebounds; and Branden Carlson added 13 points and eight rebounds on a night when Utah shot 28% from the field and was outscored 32-12 in the post.
