3 takeaways from Utah’s 72-70 loss to UCLA

Utah guard Alfonso Plummer (25) shoots over UCLA guard Jules Bernard during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in Los Angeles. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

Utah basketball dropped a close one to UCLA, losing 72-70 at the Pauley Pavilion on New Year’s Eve.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

• Down by two with three seconds to go, Utah’s Pelle Larsson drove the lane but threw the ball away, securing UCLA’s win. Alfonso Plummer had three free throws to tie the game with five seconds left with Utah down by three, but he made two out of three. The turning point came with Utah down by two with a minute remaining. Timmy Allen stole the ball but turned it over, leading to two free throws by UCLA’s Jalen Hill, which pushed the Bruins’ lead to four points with 28 seconds left.
• Plummer led the Utes with 22 points and was on fire to start the game. Plummer made his first five shots and scored Utah’s first 14 points to start the game. Utah led 16-4 before UCLA outscored Utah 37-16 to close the half.
• Utah’s offense fared pretty well, except for the costly turnovers late in the game. The Utes shot 50% from the field and 41% from 3 but allowed the Bruins to shoot 46% from the field and 50% from 3.

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