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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – It was a tough week offensively for the Utah basketball team. After scoring just 35 points against Houston, the Utes put up 61 in a 76-61 loss to Baylor Saturday at the Huntsman Center.
Norchad Omier had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and V.J. Edgecombe scored 21 points for the Bears, who also beat the Utes in Waco on December 31.
Leading 61-53 with five minutes left, Baylor outscored the Utes 9-2 over the next three minutes with Omier scoring seven points on two free throws, a jumper and a 3-pointer. Robert Wright, who finished with 14 points, went 6 for 6 from the free-throw line in the final two minutes.
Baylor outscored Utah 15-8 in the last 5 1/2 minutes.
Ezra Ausar scored 19 points to lead the Utes, while backup guard Miro Little had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Utah (11-8, 3-5).
Utah made just 5 of 23 from three-point range, including a 1-for-7 performance by Gabe Madsen.
The Bears made 17 of 20 free throws, with Wright going 8 for 8. Omier made 8 of 10 and Edgecombe was the only other Baylor player to attempt a free throw, going 1 for 2.
Injury depleted Baylor (13-6, 5-3 Big 12) used only seven players.
A nine-point run gave Baylor its first lead of the game at 13-11. Utah went back ahead on a 3-pointer by Zach Keller, then the Bears’ 13-0 run put them ahead for good.
Edgecombe scored 11 of Baylor’s final 12 points of the half but Mason Madsen finished with a 3-pointer and a layup to keep Utah within 38-31. Edgecombe had 14 points in the half and was 3 for 3 from 3-point distance.
Utah next hosts Cincinnati on Tuesday.