LOS ANGELES-After winning their third straight road game Wednesday, a 77-70 decision at USC, Utah men’s basketball visits UCLA Saturday at Pauley Pavilion.
Freshman forward Both Gach rewarded Utes head coach Larry Krystkowiak for starting him for the first time in his collegiate career with a team-best 15 points against the Trojans.
The 12-10 (6-4 in Pac-12 play) Utes currently score 75 points per game and surrender 73.3 points per contest.
Senior guard Sedrick Barefield (16.1 points per game) remains Utah’s leading scorer. Freshman forward Timmy Allen (11.1 points, 5 rebounds per game) and sophomore forward Donnie Tillman (10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds per game) also bolster the Utes.
The Bruins come into Saturday’s game at 12-11 (5-5 in conference play) and the losers of five of their last seven games.
UCLA scores 77.5 points per game and surrenders 75 points per contest.
Sophomore guard Kris Wilkes (17.4 points, 4.7 rebounds per game) leads the Bruins while fellow sophomore guard Jaylen Hands (11.8 points per game) and freshman center Moses Brown (11.4 points, 8.7 rebounds per game) also bolster the UCLA cause.
The Bruins lead the Utes 10-8 all-time and are 7-3 at Los Angeles in the series.
