Defensively we were pretty solid playing against an elite team. Our zone was good and we got them to miss shots. I would take holding that team to 60 points. But we've just got to figure out a way to score. – Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak
SALT LAKE CITY — A big reason why Cal came into Thursday's game as a Pac-12 co-leader has been the play of guards Jorge Gutierrez and Allen Crabbe.
Crabbe is the Bears' leading scorer at 15.5 points per game and Gutierrez might be the favorite for Pac-12 player of the year honors, averaging 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
However, the Utes shut down the two Cal guards, holding them to a combined 15 points on 4-of-17 shooting. But it still wasn't enough to prevent another loss for the beleaguered Ute team.
"I was pretty pleased with our defense," Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak said. "Defensively we were pretty solid playing against an elite team. Our zone was good and we got them to miss shots. I would take holding that team to 60 points. But we've just got to figure out a way to score."
Krystkowiak said his team put in a few new "curve balls" this week, like applying pressure at three-quarter court and halfcourt and pressuring the guards further away from the basket.
"We tried to burn a little time and keep them from having as much time in the half court," he said. "It kept them off balance a little bit. We knew we couldn't come in with a steady diet of what we've been playing."
Gutierrez, who only had six points until getting six more in the final minutes, praised Utah's defense.
"Yes we were surprised — we didn't think they were going to pressure us," he said. "We were not making shots. It was one of those nights — you can't make them every night. But the guys on the low post were making shots — it was a team effort."
Of his team's defense, Utah guard Chris Hines said, "We did great in that aspect. We just tried to extend and have hands in their faces at all times. We really locked them up, but we didn't play a complete game."
As much as he praised his team's defense, Krystkowiak was unhappy with his team's interior defense, allowing Cal's big men some easy baskets.
"We had a heck of a time with flex cut stuff off the baseline," he said. "We worked on it Oct. 14, one of the first things we put in. For the life of me we still can't get that one right. Cal got a lot of buckets underneath on that off that."
Forward Harper Kamp burned the Utes inside for 17 points and forward David Kravish added 11.
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