3 keys in the Utah Utes’ 86-79 overtime loss to the Cal Golden Bears
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California forward D.J. Thorpe, middle, passes the ball while being defended by Utah forward Riley Battin, left, and forward Mikael Jantunen (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. Jeff Chiu, AP
The Utah Utes forced overtime, but were ultimately outlasted by the Cal Golden Bears on Saturday 86-79 to finish the season without a road win in Pac-12 play.
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Here are three takeaways from the game.
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Utah guard Alfonso Plummer, middle, drives between California forward Andre Kelly (22) and forward Grant Anticevich (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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Utah forward Mikael Jantunen, right, grabs a rebound against California guard Joel Brown (1) and guard Kareem South (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California guard Matt Bradley, top left, shoots over Utah guard Rylan Jones (15) and center Branden Carlson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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Utah forward Timmy Allen (1) shoots against California forward Kuany Kuany (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California forward D.J. Thorpe, middle, passes the ball while being defended by Utah forward Riley Battin, left, and forward Mikael Jantunen (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California guard Matt Bradley, left, looks toward a loose ball in front of Utah forward Mikael Jantunen, bottom, and guard Alfonso Plummer, right, during overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California forward Grant Anticevich (15) is congratulated by forward D.J. Thorpe after scoring against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. California won 86-79 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak gestures during the second half of his team's NCAA college basketball game against California in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California's Paris Austin (3) and Joel Brown (1) celebrate with Andre Kelly (22) and Matt Bradley, second from right facing, during overtime of an NCAA college basketball game against Utah in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California head coach Mark Fox, right, holds up the hand of guard Joel Brown (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Utah in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. California won 86-79 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California guard Paris Austin (3) dribbles the ball up the court against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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Utah guard Both Gach (11) dribbles the ball up the court against California during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California guard Joel Brown (1) shoots against Utah center Branden Carlson during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California forward Grant Anticevich, bottom, is defended by Utah forward Timmy Allen (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California forward Kuany Kuany, top, shoots over Utah guard Alfonso Plummer (25) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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California forward Andre Kelly (22) shoots against Utah center Branden Carlson (35) and forward Mikael Jantunen (20) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
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Utah guard Alfonso Plummer (25) is congratulated by guard Both Gach (11) after scoring against California during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. California won 86-79 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) | Jeff Chiu, AP
Down by six with less than two minutes to go in regulation, the Utes closed on an 8-2 run to force the extra session as Both Gach made two clutch free throws to tie it up, but then they couldn’t make enough plays down the stretch to get the win.
After the Bears went up by two at the 3:54 mark, Utah didn’t score for nearly two minutes and were down by five at that point. The Utes never trimmed the deficit to fewer than four the rest of the way.
Utah overcame a bunch of deficiencies by making five more 3-pointers than Cal, but the Golden Bears had a more balanced scoring attack with five players finishing in double-figures. Gach, Timmy Allen and Alfonso Plummer were excellent for the Utes in combining for 68 points, but no one else did a whole lot on that end of the floor.
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