Utah Utes men's basketball: Runnin' Utes drop close one to UCLA at home

UCLA retaliated with a 9-1 run, however, to regain control of the game. Jordan Adams paced the three-and-a-half minute ourburst with two field goals and a 3-pointer. The Bruins added a 7-0 stretch later in the half to build a 34-21 advantage.

Utah ended a scoring drought of more than four minutes by capping things off with a basket by Washburn with 25 seconds to go in the opening half.

“I think it was two different halves for us,” Krystkowiak said. “The first I wasn’t pleased with our energy coming out of the locker room. I thought the Bruins played a heckuva lot harder than us on our home court.”

That changed, however, after Krystkowiak got on the team in the locker room at halftime.

“He told us what we needed to do to win the game,” Martin said. “I think we won the second half, but because of the first half that put us back.”

The Utes conclude their first Pac-12 homestand of the season Saturday against USC. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.

“We got some good looks at the basket and I’m confident that those shots are going to go down at some point,” Krystkowiak said. “We’ve just got to keep the faith and get ready for USC."

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