OSU blows 11-point first half lead  

The Oregon State men’s basketball team fell 59-53 to Utah on Sunday evening. The Beavers could not overcome a poor second half performance, succumbing to poor team shooting.

The loss marked OSU’s (11-5, 2-3) second straight Pac-12 divisional loss, the team’s first such streak of the season. 

The Beavers started the game strong, out scoring the Utes 34-23 in the first half. From there, the Beavers sputtered on both sides of the ball, blowing their 11 point halftime lead and losing the second half 36-19. 

As a team, the Beavers shot 36.4 percent from the field in the second half. Conversely, the Utes heated up in the second half, shooting 50 percent. Despite the struggles from the field, OSU still finished 75 percent from three-point range, hitting on six of eight attempts. 

Sunday’s game marked the first starting lineup change of the season, as forward Daniel Gomis replaced center Drew Eubanks in the starting five. Gomis finished with zero points, one rebound and three personal fouls.

Utah was able to succeed despite only one player scoring in double figures. Forward Jakob Poeltl paced the Utes with 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Tres Tinkle and Gary Payton II were OSU’s scoring leaders with 11 points apiece. 

With three minutes remaining in the second half, Beavers forward Jarmal Reid was ejected from the game. He appeared to intentionally trip a game official and was immediately thrown out. Reid may receive additional punishment from the Pac-12 pending review of the incident. 

OSU will now travel back to Corvallis and prepare to take on UCLA on Jan. 20 at Gill Coliseum.

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