No. 22 Utah hands No. 8 Colorado 77-76 loss at the buzzer

The Buffs couldn't hold on late against Utah

Dasia Young returned at just the right time for 22nd-ranked Utah. The Utes forward who missed the past four games with a concussion finished with 13 points, including a buzzer-beating layup for a 77-76 victory over No. 8 Colorado on Friday night. A heartbreaking fifth loss of the season for the Buffs.

Utah (19-7, 9-5 Pac-12) had four players in double-figures. Alissa Pili led the way with 18 points. The 12th straight game she has reached that plateau. Inis Vieira had 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Jenna Johnson finished with 14. The Utes have won eight of the last 10 games, with a season sweep by Oregon State holding them back from being perfect during that span.

Colorado (20-5, 10-4 Pac-12) has lost two straight for the first time this season. Jaylyn Sherrod and Frida Formann each had 15 points in a losing effort. Aaronette Vonleh, who had 14 points, put the Buffaloes up by one point seconds before Young’s heroics. It was a comeback attempt for Colorado, who was down by as many as 18 points early in the third quarter. Ironically, Young’s game-winning basket was Utah's only field goal in the final five minutes.

“I thought we played a tremendous second half but I am beyond frustrated with the first half. I can’t understand how that’s possible,” JR Payne said.

Both team shot over 50 percent from the field with Colorado having a better night from beyond the arc at 6-for-12. This was a game statistical the Buffs were better but ended up on the wrong side when the dust settled. 

UP NEXT:

Colorado has a week off before their final trip to play tenth-ranked Southern California on Feb. 23.