UCLA hits a new low with 46-point loss to Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — That breakthrough UCLA basketball coach Mick Cronin hoped was on the horizon probably looks a bit more distant now.

Cronin had taken pride in the fact that his young, inexperienced roster had remained competitive despite their struggles. They had not lost a game by double digits all season, but that ended in dramatic fashion on Thursday night.

Cole Bajema and Keba Keita scored 14 points apiece, Brandon Carlson added a double-double and Utah ended its seven-game losing streak to UCLA by handing the Bruins a near-historic blowout loss, 90-44.

The Utes (12-4 overall, 3-2 Pac-12 Conference) just missed handing the Bruins (6-10, 1-4) their worst conference loss in program history. That came on Jan. 9, 1997, when Stanford rolled to a 48-point victory (109-61). UCLA has lost four in a row for the second time this season. The Bruins have not lost five straight since February 1990.

Bajema shot 4 for 7 from 3-point range for Utah. Keita came off the bench to shoot 6 for 10 from the field. Carlson finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, blocking three shots. Carlson is one of 21 players nationwide and the only member of the Pac-12 with at least 1,500 career points and 600 rebounds. Gabe Madsen had 11 points and five rebounds. Reserve Deivon Smith hit three 3-pointers and scored 11, adding eight assists and four rebounds.

Carlson had seven points, eight rebounds and all three blocks in the first half, Keita scored seven and Utah took a 33-23 lead into intermission. Utah shot 40.7%, was 4 for 13 from 3-point range and 7 for 10 from the free-throw line. UCLA missed 20 of 30 shots from the floor (going 1 for 9 from 3-point range). The Bruins also missed four of their six free throws.

Bajema hit two 3-pointers and scored eight, Keita added seven points in a 25-6 run to begin the second half and the Utes led 58-29 with 11:10 left. UCLA missed 10 of 12 shots during Utah’s run, including all four from distance. Bajema hit a 3-pointer to give Utah a 50-point lead (87-37) with 3:03 remaining. Ilane Fibleuit hit a 3-pointer and Brandon Williams hit a jumper in a 5-2 game-ending spurt to help the Bruins avoid their worst defeat. Dylan Andrews scored nine to lead UCLA.

UP NEXT

UCLA hosts Washington on Sunday at 4 p.m.

“Two straight games we have given up 14 offensive rebounds. Because that we can control – well, we should be able to control. Our mind is affected by lack of scoring.”

Coach Cronin, speaking after UCLA’s loss at Utah on Thursday pic.twitter.com/7tAClopwiw

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) January 12, 2024

“We got to learn from it. We got to play tougher, rebound the ball. Our effort has to be better. We have to be better in every aspect of the game.”

Lazar Stefanovic, speaking after UCLA’s loss at Utah pic.twitter.com/q8vtFU9tSY

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) January 12, 2024

The Runnin’ Utes run away with it

Utah gets a dominating win over UCLA at home! Highlights @sproutsfm pic.twitter.com/BjiolEGS9h

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) January 12, 2024