Runnin' Utes Battle BYU Down to the Wire in Conference Clash

Saturday, January 10

Salt Lake City, UT

8:00 PM

University of Utah

8-8,0-3Big 12

BYU

15-1,3-0Big 12

BYU

Utah

Photo by: Anna Fuder/Utah Athletics

Runnin' Utes Battle BYU Down to the Wire in Conference Clash

1/11/2026 12:12 AM | Men's Basketball

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Utah’s starting guard duo combined 46 points in close contest against the rival Cougs.

By: Austin Eames

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah men's basketball team fought hard but fell to No.9/9 BYU Cougars 89-84 inside a sold-out Jon M. Huntsman Center Saturday night.

The Runnin' Utes (8-8, 0-3 Big 12) got things started with a 9-3 scoring run, capped off by free throws from Terrence Brown at the 17:55 mark. Brown accounted for nine of Utah's first 11 points of the contest as the junior guard had his way driving to the basket early in the game.

BYU (15-1, 3-0 Big 12) responded to Utah's early game energy with a scoring run of its own, jumping back into the contest with a 10-2 run that gave them a 13-11 advantage over the Utes with 13:28 to go.

Utah and BYU exchanged strikes as the game progressed before the Utes took a 24-20 edge on a high-flying dunk from Keanu Dawes at the 9:29 mark.

The Cougars rallied back into game with a 14-5 scoring run that saw them go back up 34-29 with 4:56 remaining in the half. With their back against the wall, the Utes didn't back down as Don McHenry knocked down a second-chance three to make it 37-34 (3:46) while Seydou Traore made it 41-41 a few plays later with a jumper at 1:14. BYU would close out the half with a pair of free throws to take a 45-43 lead into the break.

Utah had work to do in the second half as BYU extended its lead to 57-45 with a 10-2 run to open the period.

The Utes chipped away at their opponent's lead throughout a majority of the frame, eventually getting within 74-70 (7:34) after an 11-3 run that was capped off by a layup from McHenry.

Utah continued to press as the clock ticked down, cutting BYU's lead down to 81-80 with 3:15 left to play after a pair of foul shots from Brown. One point would be the closest the Utes came to retaking the lead as BYU maintained its edge in the final minutes of regulation before walking away with an 89-84 victory against Utah in the first of two head-to-head matchups this season.

Utah was led by the guard duo of Brown and McHenry who combined for 46 points. Brown paced the Utes with 25 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and tied a career-high 2 blocks. McHenry added 21 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. James Okonkwo was a force at the rim, leading Utah with a season-high 13 rebounds.

BY THE NUMBERS

13 rebounds is a season-high for James Okonkwo. His previous season-high was 10 (Purdue Ft. Wayne)
- Career-high is 16 against Jackson State (12/21/24)
With 2 blocks Terrence Brown matches his previous career-high… (4x, last at Wagner 1/5/25)
Utah's bench outproduced BYU's bench 18-3
Lucas Langarita checked in for the first time as a Ute at 14:41 in the first half
- Langarita connected with his first shot attempt in a Utah uniform, a three-pointer at 13:04

UP NEXT
No rest for the weary as Utah hits the road for another tough challenge as it faces #14/14 Texas Tech inside United Supermarkets Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. (MST) on Peacock and NBC Sports Network. James Westling will once again have the call while former Big Ten Head Coach of the Year Tom Crean serves as the analyst as Utah returns to the LBK for the first time since 1984.

LOOKING AHEAD
Utah returns to the friendly confines of the Jon M. Huntsman Center after its midweek road swing to host the TCU Horned Frogs for a NOON tip-off on TNT. This will be TCU's first trip to the Jon M. Huntsman Center since Feb. 22, 2011, as members of the Mountain West Conference.

SEASON TICKETS & MINI PLANS
Fans can choose between two mini plans; the Saturday ONLY Plan starts at $125 while the Conference ONLY plan starts at $150. Single-game tickets for conference games are also on-sale starting at just $10 per ticket.

Fans interested in buy season tickets, mini plans or single-game tickets (non-conference) can do so by going online at UtahTickets.com or by phone at 801-581-UTIX (8849).

For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram. Fans can also stay connected on their mobile devices or tablets with the Utah 360 app.

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