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Tucson, Ariz. • A chance for a rare win at McKale Center vanished in 90 seconds.
With 5:59 left in the game and only a 3-point Arizona lead to overcome, Utah's offense went like this: miss, miss, miss.
Utah's 31-year stretch without a win in Tucson will continue, as the No. 17 Wildcats closed strong behind an 18-point night from junior center Dusan Ristic, muscling out a 66-56 win over the Utes (10-4, 1-1 Pac-12).
In the third of three losses to ranked opponents this year, the Utes pushed past a double-digit rebounding disadvantage, a quiet night from beyond the arc and one of the most formidable home court atmospheres in the country to make it a one-possession game on a hook from David Collette. But at a critical moment, Utah went cold from the field.
By the time Kyle Kuzma made a jumper with 3:35 remaining, Arizona had built back an 8-point lead, which it protected with prejudice by hitting its final four shots of the game.
Utah's strategy was sound, coach Larry Krystkowiak said.
"We're not going to all of a sudden change it: It was a pretty good formula," he said. "We just need to knock 'em down."
Utah's offensive edge was inside: Junior forward David Collette was near-unstoppable when he shot, hitting 6 for 7 from the floor with 13 points overall. But foul trouble limited his effectiveness, and Krystkowiak sat him after every foul.
"Just being dumb sometimes," Collette said. "I just gotta be a little smart about it, but we'll get there."
With or without Collette, Utah had a hard time keeping pace with Ristic and Lauri Markkanen on the glass: The duo helped power the Wildcats to a 38-27 rebounding advantage.
"They wanted it more," Krystkowiak said. "You've got to have a little more enthusiasm and come up with those loose balls on the road."
Going against Markkanen, touted as a future NBA lottery pick, Kuzma finished with 8 points on 3-for-10 shooting and two rebounds.
It didn't help that Utah's shooters couldn't stretch the floor: Utah was only 4 for 21 from 3-point range. Krystkowiak lamented that so many were wide-open looks.
With an interior-driven offense, the Utes got out to a strong start. Kuzma notched the first basket, a one-handed slam, and Utah proceeded to make seven of their first eight shots to take a 15-10 lead.
"It was a great start — I think we surprised them," Collette said. "Came out executing really well, and I couldn't even tell you what happened after that."
What happened was fouls: Collette drew a foul seven minutes in, and was subbed out. Meanwhile, Arizona's pair of 7-footers helped the home squad dominate the glass 21-9 in the first half as it started to take control
Despite a notable first half from freshman Devon Daniels, who didn't miss a shot and dazzled with an alley-oop, Utah's offense stalled without Collette. The half ended on a low note for the Utes, as Wildcats guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright sent in a buzzer-beating floater to give Arizona a 35-27 halftime lead.
Still, Krystkowiak said he was, in some ways, encouraged by Utah's latest defeat to a top-25 team. The Utes only had eight turnovers, and Krystkowiak was impressed by his team's fight on defense.
"We're growing," he said. "We're getting better."
With two possible top-25 opponents headed to the Huntsman Center next week in UCLA and USC, there will be opportunities to find out.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Storylines
R The Utes are out-rebounded by 11 and only shoot 4 for 21 on 3-pointers.
• Arizona's Dusan Ristic leads all scorers with 18 points and 8 rebounds.
• David Collette scores 13 for the Utes; Devon Daniels adds 12 points.