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A scene rarely witnessed in the past three seasons unfolded at the Huntsman Center on Thursday night.
With more than 7 minutes left, Utah fans clad in white trickled toward the concourse exits, hanging their heads in disappointment. Hoping to witness a triumphant return in Utah's stronghold — where they've had previous lost only three games in as many seasons — the crowd of 12,733 was treated instead to a debacle.
The Utes (12-5, 1-3) were utterly exposed in a 77-59 loss to visiting Oregon (14-3, 3-1), a team they've traditionally struggled against, but not often so mightily. It was Utah's worst loss at home in three years, sinking Utah to the bottom tier of the Pac-12 standings.
In the standings and based on the sluggish play on the floor, the Utes appear to have a long climb back into contention in the conference. A somber coach Larry Krystkowiak said the disappointing game came on the heels of a "marginal" week of practice, compounded by several distractions: overexcitement over a last-second win at Colorado, buzz about a canceled rivalry series with BYU and an ankle sprain to sophomore center Jakob Poeltl on Tuesday.
"There's nothing magic about our building," Krystkowiak said. "We've got to start putting in an honest day's work."
The Utes didn't put in much in 40 minutes, shooting a mere 34 percent from the floor, turning over the ball 15 times and getting outscored in the paint 36-18. Oregon's speed caught Utah off guard on rotations and in transition alike, and the Ducks shot 55 percent in the game.
The best-shooting offense in the conference made only 19 baskets — the second-worst mark of the season. Even at the free throw line, the points didn't come easy; Utah was 14 for 25, in a game they could've made somewhat competitive by hitting a few extra foul shots.
Utah's brightest moment came after halftime: The Utes rocketed out of the break on a 10-4 run, closing the deficit to six points within the first three minutes.
But what followed was the team's bleakest stretch. Utah missed 13 straight shots from the field in an eight-minute drought that killed their spirits, if not their chances to come back.
Oregon sophomore guard Dillon Brooks led the effort against the Utes, driving hard into the paint and coming up with 21 points to lead the winning effort.
Senior guard Brandon Taylor was the only Ute in double figures, with 12 points. Poeltl — the leading scorer on the season — was limited to 7 points, all in the second half. But frustration was evenly spread among the team.
"As a team, we've got to change the way we came out in this game," Taylor said. "They came out and played harder than us, but I still think we beat ourselves."
The first half was as ugly as they come. The teams drew a combined 24 fouls and shot a combined 32 free throws. Adding to the plodding pace was Utah's frigid shooting from the floor, hitting only nine baskets in the opening 20 minutes.
The Utes struggled to navigate through Oregon's treacherous shot-blockers, getting rejected five times in the first half alone. But even as Ducks' big men Chris Boucher and Jordan Bell got into foul trouble, Utah labored to put the ball in the hoop as its own top scoring options picked up fouls as well.
The Utes missed opportunities at the line, making 4 of the final 12 free throws of the half. Oregon led by as much as 15 points before Jordan Loveridge hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to cut the halftime gap to 46-34, Utah's only halftime deficit at home this year.
"I don't think we gave ourselves a chance starting the game offensively," Krystkowiak said. "We kind of got punched and never got up in the first half."
Utah's taken many a hit from Oregon; since joining the Pac-12, the Utes are 1-8 against the Ducks.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Storylines
R Utes make only 19 baskets, shoot 34 percent.
• Led by Dillon Brooks' 21 points, UO shoots 55 percent.
• Utah outrebounded 37-31 and outscored 36-18 in the paint.