3 takeaways from the Utah Utes’ 56-52 loss to USC

Southern California forward Nick Rakocevic, center, lays up a shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Utah, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Thanks to some abysmal shooting, particularly in the second half of Thursday night’s conference bout against the USC Trojans, the Utah Utes came up just short in Los Angeles, falling to the Trojans 56-52.

Utah forward Timmy Allen, left, shoots as Southern California guard Daniel Utomi defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Utah forward Timmy Allen, right, celebrates his basket with guard Jaxon Brenchley during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Southern California forward Nick Rakocevic warms up before an NCAA college basketball game against Utah Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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USC jerseys numbered for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna displayed on the courtside seating before a Pac-12 basketball game between Utah and Southern California Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Southern California guard Ethan Anderson, right, goes up for a basket over Utah guard Rylan Jones, front left, and center Branden Carlson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Utah forward Riley Battin, right, lays up a shot past Southern California guard Ethan Anderson, center, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Utah guard Jaxon Brenchley celebrates his 3-point basket during the first half of a Pac-12 basketball game against Southern California, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Southern California forward Onyeka Okongwu, front, and Utah guard Jaxon Brenchley battle for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Southern California forward Nick Rakocevic, center, lays up a shot during the first half of a Pac-12 game against Utah, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Southern California guard Elijah Weaver celebrates his 3-point basket during the second half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against Utah on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Utah forward Timmy Allen, center, reaches for a rebound next to Southern California forward Nick Rakocevic, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Southern California forward Onyeka Okongwu, right, blocks a shot by Utah center Branden Carlson during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Southern California guard Elijah Weaver celebrates a basket during the second half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against Utah on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Southern California forward Onyeka Okongwu, left, blocks a shot by Utah forward Timmy Allen during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Southern California forward Max Agbonkpolo, left, fouls Utah forward Timmy Allen, center, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Utah forward Riley Battin, left, goes up for a basket past Southern California forward Nick Rakocevic during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Kyusung Gong, Associated Press

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Here are three takeaways from the Utes’ loss to the Trojans.

Utah led for the vast majority of the game, until the Trojans reeled off a 12-0 run midway through the second half. USC would go up by as many as six points at the tail end of the burst before the Utes battled back to keep the game a one possession contest the rest of the way. Part of the reason for the USC run was simply awful shooting by the Utes, who shot under 25% from the field in the second half.

TROJANS LEAD!@___ewr caps off a 10-0 run for USC!

📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/thAAYQUINi
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) January 31, 2020

Both teams struggled to shoot the ball all night, to an excessive degree. Utah made just 18 of 55 total field goal attempts, while USC was just 19 of 51. As a result, both teams made out like bandits on the boards. The Utes recorded 36 rebounds, including 12 of the offensive variety, with the Trojans not far behind with 34 total rebounds and nine offensive boards.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT." - @BigO21_

Trojans and Utes all tied up now (46-46) with 3:46 to go.

📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/JNC6ihQx9K
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) January 31, 2020

Despite being the Utes’ worst offender when it came to missing shots, Timmy Allen was still the teams most important player in the contest. He scored a team-high 13 points, grabbed nine rebounds and added three assists and three steals.

TA finishes after the contact to tie things up with 3:46 left to play!

🔴 46 | ⚔️ 46

📺@FS1 #GoUtes🏀🔴 #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/27wDMoVlh4
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 31, 2020

Allen had the ball in a one-on-one situation late with a chance to send the game into overtime, but his drive to rim was denied by USC’s Onyeka Okongwu. Okongwu’s defensive stop, which forced a jump ball that USC won, followed what proved the game-winning basket, scored by USC center Nick Rakocevic.