Utah falls to BYU 77-65

Utah could not keep their winning streak up against rival BYU and fell short 77-65 on Saturday night in Provo.

From beginning to end the Cougars (9-2) controlled the game. The Utes (7-3) hung around but never made a significant run. Everything just seemed to go right for BYU. They were solid on both ends of the floor and out-hustled Utah from the start.

Tyler Rawson lead the Utes with 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Three other players for the Utes finished the game in double digits as well — Gabe Bealer ended the game with 13, David Collette added 12 and Sedrick Barefield rounded out with 11.

After taking a 10-9 lead in the first half, the Cougars never trailed. Elijah Bryant got the crowd going with back-to-back three pointers. BYU shot 50 percent from three-point range (10-20) and 52 percent from the field. Utah finished the game shooting 46 percent from the field and 23 percent from the three (5-22).

Utah really could have used a boost from freshman Donnie Tillman. He’s the team’s top rebounder and second leading scorer. Tillman was at the game with a boot on his foot.

Utah will wrap-up non-conference play next week with a tilt against Northwestern State next Wednesday, December 20, at the Huntsman Center. It will be the final tune-up for the Utes before opening up Pac-12 play at Oregon on December 29, in Eugene.