Oregon men’s basketball (13-5, 5-2 Pac-12) got a taste of March Madness in late January. 

In a game that had buzzer-beaters, breakout performances and late heroics, The Ducks fell just short to Utah (13-5, 5-3 Pac-12) 80-77 Sunday afternoon in Salt Lake City.

N’Faly Dante and Jermaine Couisnard combined for 49 points. But a late free-throw miss from Dante proved to be the difference. 

Trailing by three, the Utes fouled guard Keeshawn Barthelemy with five seconds on the clock. After hitting the first free-throw, Barthelemy missed on purpose, with the ensuing rebound falling into center N’Faly Dante’s hands.

Dante was fouled on the put-back try, sending him to the line with a chance to tie the game for Oregon.

His first free-throw drew iron.

Following a pair of Utah free-throws, Oregon had a chance to tie with 1.4 seconds remaining, but Brennan Rigsby’s inbound heave was deflected as time ran out. 

For the Ducks, it was a bitter ending to a back-and-forth game that featured 15 lead changes. Head Coach Dana Altman’s squad fought diligently, but the Ducks’ second-half defense doomed them. Oregon allowed 48 second-half points after holding the Utes to just 32 in the opening frame. 

Oregon opened and closed the game on fire from long range. The Ducks’ first five field goals came from 3-point land as Oregon shot a superb 7-12 in the first half of action. 

Shooting a pedestrian 34.5% from the field in the first half, Utah was held just 1-9 in the final six minutes before a Deivon Smith half-court buzzer-beater cut Oregon’s lead to just one at the half. The half-court heave would prove crucial as the Ducks lost by three. 

The teams continued the back-and-forth affair to begin the second half with Oregon relying heavily on Dante. Although still limited in his return from injury, Dante dominated the interior adding 21 points and six rebounds in the second half alone. 

Although lackluster defensively, Oregon’s second half featured superb offense with Couisnard adding four 3-pointers and the Ducks avoiding turning the ball over 

After capturing a four-point lead with less than five minutes remaining, Utah guard Deivon Smith hit a pair of 3-pointers to give the Utes a one-point advantage. Oregon would not lead again.

Replaced in the starting lineup by Jadrian Tracey, freshman Kwame Evans Jr. played just eleven minutes and now has a combined seven points in the Ducks’ last three games. 

Oregon’s loss comes as their second of the Rocky Mountain road trip and breaks an 11-game win streak over the Utes. 

Oregon will return home to take on Arizona State on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.