The Utes couldn’t maintain an early lead and fell behind by double digits in the second half before rallying to tie the game late, but they were out-executed in the final seconds as UCF beat them 76-72 at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando.

The Utah men’s basketball team put up a valiant effort against UCF but fell just short in a heartbreaking 76-72 loss on Sunday evening at Addition Financial Field. Despite a strong start and multiple lead changes throughout the game,

The Utes were one week removed from beating Kansas and Kansas State. They were a tick under .500 in Big 12 play, and they had a manageable stretch upcoming — so manageable that it was easy to envision the Utes, who were picked dead last in the Big 12’s preseason media poll, finishing as high as sixth or seventh place.

The University of Utah fired men’s basketball coach Craig Smith on Monday, a day after a 76-72 loss at Central Florida that dropped the Utes to 15-12 this season. Smith was in his fourth season in charge of the program.

Utah is on the search for its next men’s basketball coach — and there are a number of potential candidates with strong ties to the program.