Cougars fall to Utes in overtime, 73-72

Two Cougars scored in double figures in the setback to Utah.

Author Zach Hunter
Cougars fall to Utes in overtime, 73-72Cougars fall to Utes in overtime, 73-72
Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Richie Saunders and Fousseyni Traore combined for 32 points in BYU's overtime setback to Utah on Saturday evening at the Huntsman Center. 

 “It was a hard-fought game, and they made plays down the stretch," head coach Kevin Young said. "We came up short."

Saunders scored in double figures for the third consecutive game for the first time in his career, finishing with 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and tied his career-high of four assists. Traore moved up to 32nd on the all-time scoring list as he also scored 16 points going 8-of-13 from the field. 

The Cougars fall to 11-6 overall and 0-4 on the road as they shot 38.5 percent from the field, 26.7 percent from three and 40.0 percent from the free throw line. They were outrebounded for just the fourth time this season, 47-44, but only turned the ball over eight times.

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First Half
The contest began with a tight defensive effort from both sides on the first series of possessions. Utah secured the first points of the night before Mawot Mag knocked down a 3-pointer in front of the Utah bench. The Utes retook the lead with two made free throws and a 3-point shot. In his return to the Huntsman Center, Keba Keita put up a jump shot which Richie Saunders tipped in to put BYU within two at 7-5 before the media timeout. 

Saunders continued to carry the load on the offensive end helping the Cougars take a 12-11 lead with 12:38 remaining in the half. Dawson Baker matched Saunders' energy, landing a jumper and layup to spearhead an 8-0 BYU run. Utah trimmed BYU’s lead with a layup and a second-chance jumper. The Cougars countered when Dallin Hall tossed a lob to Keita who rocked the rim to maintain a three-point lead. 

Midway through the half, both teams proceeded to go on a 3-point shooting spree with the Cougars outpacing the Utes. After two missed attempts from Utah behind the arc, Egor Demin registered his first 3-point bucket. Saunders then connected on his second of the first half from the corner to make it 24-18 wit 5:25 to go.  

The final minutes of the half saw the 3-point shootout shift into a free throw battle as six of the next points of the game came from the charity stripe. Dawson Baker had the final score of the first half to give BYU a 30-27 lead after 20 minutes.

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Second Half
The Cougars scored the opening five points of the second half with Saunders getting to the rim and finishing followed by a 3-pointer from Trevin Knell to push their lead to a game-high eight points at 35-27. 

The Utes responded with a 12-2 run of their one to retake the lead. Mihailo Boskovic and Kanon Catchings combined for five points off the bench to keep it a one-possession game, 50-48, with 10 minutes remaining in regulation. 

BYU kept it close with Demin connecting on a driving lay and Knell connecting on his second 3-pointer of the game to cut the deficit to two, 57-55, with less than four minutes remaining. 

Mag gave the Cougars their first lead since early in the first half with a corner three to make it 61-60 in favor of the visitors. Ezra Ausar scored three-straight points for the Utes but Traore's offensive putback sent the game into overtime tied at 64.

Overtime
Traore helped the Cougars jump out to a three-point lead in overtime as the senior showed his touch around the rim. Following another bucket from Ausar, Traore found Demin for a dunk to make it 70-67. Utah had an answer on the following possession with Hunter Erickson hitting one of his two 3-pointers. 

Saunders would score the final points for the Cougars with just under a minute remaining in the overtime period before Erickson scored the final three points for the Utes, all coming from the line. 

Up Next
BYU finishes its two-game road trip on Tuesday, Jan. 21, when the Cougars take on Colorado in Boulder. Tip is scheduled for 9 pm MT. Watch the action on ESPNU or listen live on BYU Radio.