Utah Utes basketball: Utes fade down stretch, lose to Seattle University

As much as he doesn't like it, Utah coach Jim Boylen knew there would be nights like Tuesday this season.

His young team lost 77-74 at the Huntsman Center to Seattle University, a school with great basketball tradition (think Elgin Baylor), but one that is playing Division I basketball for the first time in 30 years.

The Redhawks aren't a bad team, having defeated both Fresno State and Weber State in the past five days. But the Utes did about everything wrong possible, from too many fouls (28) to a lack of rebounding (45-32 for Seattle) to poor shooting (35.1 percent) to a lack of teamwork (only 10 assists), all of which added up to a disappointing loss.

"We weren't tough enough tonight — I didn't like it," said Boylen. "We weren't tough enough mentally, physically, offensively, defensively. I didn't like the way we played. I don't like giving up 19 offensive rebounds, I don't like 10 assists in this program. I'm disappointed."

The Utes knew they were in for a tough game following their 40-point blowout of Southern University three nights earlier. And when they took an 11-point lead early in the second half, it looked like the Utes were on their way to their third straight victory.

However, the Redhawks fought back with a 15-4 run over a six-minute stretch to tie the game at 54 with 10:53 left. From there, the lead went back and forth until Seattle broke a 65-65 tie on a follow shot by Cervante Burrell and the Utes could never catch up.

The Utes had one last chance after getting the ball back with 15 seconds left, down three. The ball was knocked out of bounds with 3.7 seconds left and with no timeouts left, the Utes hoped to get the ball to one of their 3-point shooters. Instead, freshman forward Shawn Glover had to try a three from the right angle that bounced off the back of the rim.

Carlon Brown led the Utes with 22 points, but he had a rough night, making just 5 of 17 shots from the field and 2 of 7 from 3-point range with no assists. Kim Tillie and Jordan Cyphers each scored 12 points and Luka Drca had 10 points, but had six turnovers to go with just two assists.

"I've said all along, Drca, Brown and Tillie have to play really well for us," said Boylen. "Those three guys have to carry us and they'll hear it again. Carlon Brown goes 5 for 17 with no assists. How do you think I feel about him right now? I give him the keys to the safe and I trust him. If Brown and Drca only get two assists (between them), we're in trouble."

Brown blamed the loss mostly on poor shooting, including 29 percent in the second half.

"Their pressure was pretty good, but we just couldn't make shots," said Brown. "I think we played a bunch of guys that were tougher and stronger, especially down the stretch in the last five minutes."

The Redhawks, coached by former UCLA guard Cameron Dollar, were led by 6-foot-10 Charles Garcia, who hit his season average with 24 points. Burrell and Chris Gweth each added 12 points.

The Utes head to Las Vegas Wednesday to prepare for a pair of games in the Las Vegas Invitational. They'll play 20th-ranked Illinois Friday at 8:30 p.m. MST and either Bradley or Oklahoma State Saturday.

"Nothing's changed for me," said Boylen. "We've got to get better every day. I'm disappointed, but I'm not discouraged. I like this group of guys. I see some bright spots, but we've got to get better."

e-mail: sor@desnews.com