California holds off Utah in overtime 86-79
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Matt Bradley scored six of his 21 points in overtime before fouling out, and California held on to beat Utah 86-79 on Saturday.
Andre Kelly had 15 points, nine rebounds and a career-high five blocks, Grant Anticevich added 17 points and eight rebounds, and Paris Austin scored 15 with four assists for California (13-16, 7-9 Pac-12).
Timmy Allen had 26 points for Utah (15-14, 6-11), while Alfonso Plummer scored a career-high 23.
Bradley, who missed a desperation half-court heave at the end of regulation, scored California’s first points of overtime then added two free throws with 1:07 left. He fouled out 18 seconds later then watched from the bench as the Golden Bears ended a three-game losing streak against the Utes.
The Bears outscored the Utes 17-10 in overtime.
Cal led by six with one minute remaining in regulation before Utah made a late push to force overtime. Plummer made a deep 3-pointer over the outstretched hand of Bradley with 10.3 seconds left, and Both Gach added two free throws with 2 seconds left after Austin missed one of two from the stripe.
Utah has lost five of six.
The Utes trailed much of the first half, then went on a 14-3 run to go up by four at halftime. Plummer had a pair of 3s and scored on a left-handed layup.
That helped the Utes make up for the loss of point guard Rylan Jones, who left the game early with an apparent head injury.
Jones and Bradley crashed into each other while going for a rebound. Bradley got the ball and scored but fell hard to the floor and stayed down before getting up and walking slowly off the floor. Jones remained flat on his back for several moments then was helped off the court and taken to the locker room. He came back out and sat at the end of Utah’s bench.
STATS, ETC.
Before getting hurt, Jones had one steal and needs two more to break Josh Grant’s freshman team record of 42 set in 1988-89. … Gach had missed 21 consecutive 3-pointers before draining one four minutes into the second half. … California has been held to 25 points or fewer in the first half 10 times this season. … Utah is 0-9 in road conference games.
BIG PICTURE
Utah: The Utes late-season fade is pushing them toward the bottom of the standings. Outside of a late run to end regulation, Utah was too sporadic on both ends of the court. Allen was outstanding, but the Utes made only two baskets in overtime.
California: Coach Mark Fox’s team is playing well and could make some noise in the Pac-12 Tournament, although they’re likely to go in as the 8th or 9th seed. That they won with two of their top scorers, Bradley and Kelly, on the bench after fouling out speaks volumes about the progress the Bears have made.
UP NEXT
Utah: The Utes host Colorado in their final regular-season game on Friday.
California: The Bears play No. 14 Oregon on the road on Thursday.
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