Utah Utes basketball: Same old story for reeling Utes

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Even a different starting lineup couldn't cure the Utah basketball team's problems as the Utes dropped their fourth straight game Saturday afternoon, falling to Wyoming 72-64 at Arena- Auditorium.

It was the same old story as the Utes couldn't make outside shots, couldn't make key stops and missed their foul shots — again.

The loss leaves the Utes at 15-12 on the year and 6-8 in Mountain West Conference play, just a game ahead of Wyoming, which improved to 12-16 and 5-10.

"We don't make enough plays to win," said Utah coach Jim Boylen. "We outrebound them, we get 16 more shots, we have less turnovers. The discrepancy is at the free-throw line. We only get 10 and make five, they get 27 and make 26. You've got to give them credit, they made their free throws."

This game was similar to the one in Salt Lake City, where the Utes lost by a similar score, 69-64. Like last time, they got a good game from Luke Nevill (22 points on 9-of-15 shooting), but couldn't make their outside shots (3-of-12 from 3-point range) and they fell behind early again and just couldn't catch up.

After trailing by four at halftime, the Utes fell behind by 11 only to rally within four with just over two minutes left. However, the Utes couldn't make defensive stops, allowing the Cowboys to score on their last seven possessions over the final five minutes.

"The last five minutes we just didn't have the energy or toughness to stay in front of them," Boylen said. "(Brandon) Ewing makes two plays — he makes the 3 and the jumper. I thought those two plays were the difference in the game."

Up until that point, the Utes had done a great job on the Cowboys' leading scorer, holding him to just seven points. However, with 2:04 left, he raised up and sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key and after Nevill scored inside, Ewing made a tough shot in the lane to give the Cowboys a 64-57 lead with 1:18 left.

Brad Jones, playing in his final home game, led the Cowboys with 20 points, while Joseph Taylor and Tyson Johnson each had 12, in addition to Ewing's 14.

Besides Nevill, two other Utes scored in double figures — Johnnie Bryant with 15 and Luka Drca with 12.

After losing three straight games, Boylen decided to shake up his starting lineup for the first time since late November when Carlon Brown replaced an injured Stephen Weigh in the starting lineup, with Drca and Kim Tille replacing Tyler Kepkay and Luke Nevill.

It didn't seem to help as the Utes fell behind 8-2, failing to score on five straight possessions after an opening basket by Drca.