Utes Win Fourth Straight with 77-70 Victory at WSU

Saturday, February 17

Pullman, Wash.

8:00 PM

University of Utah

17-9, 9-6

Washington State

10-16, 2-12

Utah

Washington State

Utes Win Fourth Straight with 77-70 Victory at WSU

2/17/2018 11:01 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score WSU-Utah | Box Score (PDF)

Bibbins leads the way with 24 points

PULLMAN, Wash. – The Utah Runnin' Utes won for the fourth straight game, downing the Washington State Cougars, 77-70, Saturday evening at Beasley Coliseum.

With the victory, Utah moved to 17-9 overall and 9-6 in Pac-12 play. Meanwhile, WSU dropped to 10-16 overall on the season and 2-12 in the Pac-12 standings.

HOW THEY WON
Despite leading by as many as 20 points late in the first half, the Utes managed to stave off a pair of WSU comebacks and earn the seven-point win. The Cougars closed out the first half with a 15-5 run and Utah's 20-point lead dwindled down to just 10 points, up 38-28 at the break. Utah scored nine of the first 12 points in the second half and later had to hold off WSU's rally, which included the Cougars hitting five of their game-high 15 three-pointers down the stretch.

With Utah up by just four points, 72-68, Justin Bibbins poured in a lay-up with 25 seconds to play and later followed with a pair of free throws to ice the game.

STAT OF THE GAME
Both teams combined to drain a total of 27 three-pointers on the night. Utah finished with 12 three-pointers, eclipsing at least 10 three-pointers in a game for the 13^th time this season. WSU finished with 15 three-pointers on 41 attempts.

WHO STOOD OUT
Bibbins scored a game-high 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting and an 8-of-8 effort from the free throw line. Gabe Bealer finished with 18 points, tying a career-high with six three-pointers made on the evening. Tyler Rawson registered his second-straight double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

UP NEXT
Utah returns home next week and will close out the 207-18 regular season hosting its final three contests of the campaign. The Utes will open the three-game home stand hosting the UCLA Bruins next Thursday, Feb. 22. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT at the Huntsman Center.

GAME NOTES
• Utah now leads the all-time series 23-4, which includes a 6-2 record when playing WSU in Pullman. The Utes have won nine straight dating back to Feb. 8, 2014.
• With the win, Utah managed to sweep past the Washington schools this weekend to become the only team in the Pac-12 to register two weekend sweeps when playing on the road. The Utes swept the Oregon schools when they opened Pac-12 play back in December.
• Utah had at least three players score in double figures for the 22^nd time this season. The Utes are now 16-6 overall when three players score 10+ points.
• Tyler Rawson not only registered his second straight double-double, finishing the game with 15 points and 15 rebounds, but the 15 boards mark a new career-high for the senior. His previous career-high mark was 12 rebounds, which he recorded against Coppin State back on Nov. 18, 2016.
• Utah finished the contest shooting 50 percent from the field (25-of-50). It is the seventh time this season that the Utes have recorded a shooting percentage of 50 percent or better.