Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- The Runnin' Utes lost to UCF 76-72 due to costly turnovers.
- Gabe Madsen scored 23 points, but Utah's 19 turnovers led to 20 UCF points.
- UCF's Darius Johnson and Keyshawn Hall secured the win, snapping a seven-game losing streak.
ORLANDO — It looked like it was going to be a Utah blowout in the early minutes of the game.
Utah jumped out to a 12-2 lead and controlled the momentum against a UCF team that had lost nine of its last 10 games. Add to it that UCF was only shooting 25% from the field and No. 10 seemed to be near for the Knights.
But Utah proved to be its own worst enemy against UCF and went on to turn the ball over at a high rate — most of which were unforced — and then the Knights found their offense, especially in the second half.
The Knights capitalized on the multitude of Utah turnovers and built up a game-high 10-point lead midway through the second half.
The only saving grace for the Utes was that Gabe Madsen started to get hot from behind the arc, and Utah cut the UCF lead to 3 points with 3:30 left to play. Madsen ended up tying up the game with 11 seconds left to play, giving Utah a chance.
But Utah allowed UCF guard Darius Johnson a wide-open lane for an easy layup, and then Ezra Ausar quickly inbounded the ball to Madsen, who had the ball bounce off his hand and out of bounds.
All that was left for Utah was a quick foul, with hopes that they could get something in the final 1.8 seconds left. Keyshawn Hall, though, stepped up to the free-throw line and drilled both free throws to give UCF a 76-72 win, snapping a seven-game losing skid for the team's fifth win in conference play.
Utah (15-12, 7-9 Big 12) finished the game with 19 turnovers, which translated to 20 points for UCF.
Coming off two wins over the Kansas schools, Utah looked to be building momentum as the season's end drew near, but a loss to UCF (14-13, 5-11 Big 12) on the road only stifled Utah's progress to an already up-and-down season.
Madsen led all scores with 23 points, including making five 3-pointers, and three rebounds. Ezra Ausar, who proved to be tough to guard in the post, finished with 20 points, six rebounds and two assists; while Mike Sharavjamts added 15 points, six assists and four rebounds in the loss.
Utah shot 51% from the floor and outrebounded UCF 32-29, but turnovers proved to be the deciding factor.
The Knights shot just 34% from the first half, but rebounded in the second half and finished with a more respectable 45% shooting. Moustapha Thiam led UCF with 18 points and nine rebounds as a disruptor to Utah.
Four other Knights players finished in double figures, with Johnson and Jordan Ivy-Curry adding 12 apiece in the win.
