The San Diego Legion’s second-half comeback bid against the Utah Warriors was crushed by Utah’s four tries in the final 20 minutes of a 41-14 loss to conclude San Diego’s preseason slate.

After they trailed 21-0 at the half, the Legion were off to a fast start in the second half to make it a one-possession game before the Warriors answered and put an end to the comeback attempt.

“We made cheap mistakes. They kicked the corners or got penalties and they scored off a couple lineouts,” head coach John Manenti said.

All four tries scored by Utah in the second half were scored in the same east-side corner that Utah kept going back to and scored almost at will.

The turning point in the second half was a turnover at the middle of the field during a 21-14 game that Utah took to the corner to double their lead and end San Diego’s 14-0 scoring run.

“We lost momentum again and let them get on a roll and made some mistakes. We just played into their game, I suppose,” Manenti said.

It was a rare rainy afternoon and the Legion did not have much experience with the wet conditions that had some effect on the players’ grips, according to outside center Ethan Grayson.

Lock Brandon Harvey scored the Legion’s second try. Fly-half Lincoln Mcclutchie made both conversion attempts.

The Legion defeated Rugby FC Los Angeles, 40-31, in their first and only other preseason match. The Utah Warriors did not publicize their preseason schedule.

Up next: The Legion will host the defending Western Conference champion Seattle Seawolves to open the season on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. PT at Torero Stadium.