The Runnin’ Utes defeated the UCLA Bruins on Sunday for their first Pac-12 road win in their last 11 tries, 70-69. With the win, Utah has swept the Bruins in their final season of Pac-12 basketball. The win also gives Utah a needed jolt late in the season as they are currently on the outside looking in for the Pac-12 tournament.

Here are the takeaways from the game.

Smith and Carlson lead four in double-figures

All four Utes that played 30+ minutes scored in double-figures on Sunday, led by Branden Carlson and Deivon Smith each with 17. Cole Bajema and Gabe Madsen each finished with 11, but Madsen struggled all game going 2-9 from the field and 1-6 from long distance—six of his points came from the free-throw line where he still struggled at 6-9.

Keba Keita was the lone starter not in double-figures thanks in large part to foul trouble and only playing 18 minutes. Keita had nine points and five rebounds. The breakout sophomore was involved in one of the best plays of the night, a lay-in on a beautiful wrap-around assist by Smith.

Utah executed a brilliant play-call to win

Craig Smith had taken a lot of grief lately, some fair and some not. The Utes game plan was far from perfect against UCLA. The Bruins led for 26:10 of the game, they outscored Utah in bench points 18-5, second chance points 16-10, and points off turnovers 13-6.

The truth is, both teams played a sloppy game. However, Utah hung close the entire game. Dylan Andrews gave the Bruins the lead with six seconds left and UCLA immediately called a timeout afraid of getting burned by Deivon Smith. Recognizing this, Craig Smith and his staff set up an inbounds play that would see Deivon throw the ball to Cole Bajema under the hoop and still legally out of bounds. Bajema then hit Branden Carlson, who then hit a streaking Smith. The layup was contested, but everyone crashed on Smith, leaving Carlson right there for the putback and the win with .2 seconds left.

From an X’s and O’s standpoint when it comes to adjustments, Craig Smith’s staff has had some impressive moments, and that final play might just be their best one yet.

Utah saves their NCAA tournament hopes

The reality is with Utah’s three game losing streak and then losing five of their last six, the NCAA Tournament is suddenly a longshot. After looking like a near lock just a few weeks ago, the Utes are on the tournament bubble.

Utah’s comeback win—where UCLA looked like the better team most of the night—gives them life, but with five games remaining, they likely can’t do worse than 4-1 and 5-0 seems like a necessity to have a shot at the NCAA Tournament.

While winning the Pac-12 tournament is probably Utah’s only realistic path into the big dance, there’s suddenly some optimism with three road games left.

Up next

The Runnin’ Utes have almost a week off before they travel to Boulder to face the 17-9 Buffaloes. Colorado is led by KJ Simpson and projected 2024 lottery pick, Cody Williams. Utah’s Rollie Worster could be nearing a return, which will be a huge boost to the Utes’ backcourt when it happens.