3 takeaways from Utah’s huge loss to Texas Tech

Utah is off to an 0-2 start in Big 12 Conference play after being soundly beaten at home, 93-65, by Texas Tech on Saturday night.

It’s the third straight loss overall for Utah, which has gone cold offensively in conference action.

3 takeaways

Utah couldn’t slow down Texas Tech’s offense and the Utes’ offense seized up. The Red Raiders shot 61.3% in the first half, and Utah only forced one turnover in the opening 20 minutes. Texas Tech also made six 3-pointers in the first half.

The Red Raiders shot 55.6% in the second half and were 58.6% for the game. Texas Tech had six players score in double-figures, led by 19 points and nine assists from Darrion Williams.

Utah, meanwhile, went on a tear during one stretch in the first half and was shooting over 60% at one point, but the offense bogged down over the final 26-plus minutes.

The Utes ended up shooting 42.3% for the game — that included a frigid 28% in the second half — and leading scorer Gabe Madsen was held to four points on 0 of 6 shooting, his fourth straight game in single-digits.

Jake Wahlin was a rare bright spot for Utah with 10 points, three rebounds and a block; so, too, was Zach Keller, who had 12 points.

1 of 33

2 of 33

3 of 33

4 of 33

5 of 33

6 of 33

7 of 33

8 of 33

9 of 33

10 of 33

11 of 33

12 of 33

13 of 33

14 of 33

15 of 33

16 of 33

17 of 33

18 of 33

19 of 33

20 of 33

21 of 33

22 of 33

23 of 33

24 of 33

25 of 33

26 of 33

27 of 33

28 of 33

29 of 33

30 of 33

31 of 33

32 of 33

33 of 33

A costly end to the first half. The Utes had built some momentum after falling behind by 10 in the game’s early minutes.

Utah eventually fought its way back out in front, as it made 9 of 11 shots during one stretch to go up on a 3-pointer from Miro Little. He was also fouled but missed the free throw, and in the minute after that bucket, Texas Tech went on an 8-0 spurt.

The Red Raiders outscored Utah 18-6 after the Utes went up 30-29 and led 47-36 at the break.

Utah never recovered.

Utah shakes up its lineup — and the results were mixed. Caleb Lohner got his first start of the season — Ezra Ausar missed the game to attend to personal matters — and Mike Sharavjamts was reinserted into the starting lineup alongside brothers Gabe and Mason Madsen and Lawson Lovering.

Sharavjamts and Lohner showed some early connectivity in the game — and guys like Wahlin and Keller ended up giving Utah a spark off the bench.

The Utes ended up with a 41-35 edge in bench points.

Little added eight points and an assist in his first game coming off the bench as well, but for the Utes, the rotation changes didn’t give them enough of a shakeup to keep pace with Texas Tech.

What’s next

Utah (8-5, 0-2 Big 12) heads back out on the road to visit No. 3 Iowa State next Tuesday. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. MST and be streamed on ESPN+.

The Cyclones (12-1, 2-0 Big 12) beat No. 25 Baylor 74-55 in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday. This came one game after the Bears beat Utah 81-56 in Waco, Texas, in both teams’ Big 12 opener on Tuesday.