LAS VEGAS (AP) – Jakob Poeltl scored 29 points and Lorenzo Bonam dribbled the length of the court to score at the buzzer in regulation, helping No. 12 Utah outlast No. 24 California 82-78 in overtime Friday night in the Pac-12 semifinals.
Cal (23-10) and Utah battled through a calculated, slow-paced game before trading baskets in the final minute of regulation.
Jabari Bird put the third-seeded Bears ahead 70-68 on a three-point play with 4.3 seconds left, but Bonam took the inbound pass and raced up the floor for the tying score.
The second-seeded Utes (26-7) took a five-point lead in overtime, but Tyrone Wallace hit a 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left to pull the Bears within 80-78.
Jordan Loveridge hit two free throws after that, sealing Utah’s spot in Saturday night’s championship game against No. 8 Oregon.