Comeback Falls Short for Utah Basketball in Boulder

Wednesday, January 7

Boulder, CO / CU Events Center

7:00 PM

University of Utah

8-7,0-2Big 12

Colorado

12-3,2-0Big 12

Utah

Colorado

Photo by: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Comeback Falls Short for Utah Basketball in Boulder

1/7/2026 9:56 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Presser Highlights

The Runnin’ Utes gave Colorado a run for its money behind Don McHenry’s 24 points, but fell on the road, 85-73.

By: Austin Eames

BOULDER, Colo. – The Utah men's basketball team continued its conference schedule with an 85-73 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes inside the CU Events Center Wednesday night.

After a slow start, Utah (8-7, 0-2 Big 12) gained composure as junior guard Don McHenry scored seven straight points during a 1:36 stretch that cut the team's deficit to 16-13 with 12:17 to go.

McHenry continued to pour on the points as the half progressed, leading all players with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the frame.

Despite McHenry's effort, Utah trailed for most of the period before a wide-open three-pointer from Keanu Dawes at 5:46 gave the team its first lead of game, 29-27.

From there, the Buffaloes (12-3, 2-0 Big 12) responded with a 12-2 run to regain their edge. Utah then answered with a 7-1 scoring surge of its own to make it 40-38 with 18 seconds remaining, as Colorado hit a last-second basket to extend its lead and take a 42-38 advantage into the break.

In the second half, Utah fell behind 57-47 with 15:30 to go as the Buffaloes connected with 6 of their first 8 shots of the frame.

Despite Colorado's early offensive burst, the Utes grinded their way back into the contest thanks to a combination of sharp defense and steady shooting—outscoring the Buffaloes 12-4 during a 5:30 sequence that ended with a jumper from freshman Kendyl Sanders to cut the Utah deficit to 65-63, with 6:57 remaining.

In the ensuing minutes of action, the two teams traded buckets before Colorado pulled away and took a 77-67 advantage with 1:30 left after an 8-0 run.

The Buffaloes kept the Utes quiet the rest of the way and secured an 85-73 victory.

Don McHenry led Utah with 24 points, a team-high 7 rebounds, and one assist. Terrence Brown added 16 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Dawes rounded out Utah's trifecta of double-figure scorers with 16 points of his own to go along with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.

BY THE NUMBERS

9 steals is a new season-high for the Utes, previous best was 8 (Purdue Ft. Wayne, Cal Baptist)
With 24 points, Don McHenry is up to six games of 20-plus on the season. The 20-plus performance is his first since he scored 27 against Eastern Washington on Dec. 20.
- Seven rebounds are McHenry's most since Utah's season-opener when he posted a career-high 9 against San Jose St.

UP NEXT
Utah returns home to the friendly confines of the Jon M. Huntsman Center to play host to the 267th edition of the Red vs. Blue rivalry against #9/9 BYU on Saturday, Jan. 10, starting at 8 p.m. (MST) on ESPN. Dave Flemming will have the action between the in-state rivals while former UCLA Bruin Sean Farnham will serve as the analyst as the Runnin' Utes look to secure its third-straight win over the Cougars at home.

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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