Utah’s run in the Big 12 tournament came to an end as they were defeated by UCF 87-72 in the first round. Despite a strong start, the Utes struggled to score from 3-point range and couldn’t keep up with UCF’s offense in the second half. UCF’s hot shooting, especially from beyond the arc, led to their victory. Utah interim head coach Josh Eilert praised UCF’s performance and acknowledged his team’s struggles on both ends of the court.
Despite the loss, Utah saw a standout performance from Keanu Dawes, who recorded a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds. The absence of starting forward Ezra Ausar impacted Utah’s production, but Dawes stepped up in his place. While the Utes fought to narrow the deficit at one point, UCF ultimately pulled away for the win.
Looking ahead, the Utes hope for a possible invite to a national postseason tournament, although their .500 record may be a barrier. The focus may also shift to the future under new head coach Alex Jensen. The team remains optimistic about their potential moving forward.
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