Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore smiles
Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore (45) reacts after scoring as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Dick Harmon
By Dick Harmon

BYU fought off a furious late rally by Utah to defeat the Utes 75-66 in the Marriott Center Friday night.

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Here are three keys to the BYU win.

  • BYU senior guard Rudi Williams scored 25 points and used his quickness to dismantle Utah’s attempt at full court pressure in the second half to key BYU’s win.
  • Williams, freshman Dallin Hall and Gideon George combined to make six straight free throws in the final 50 seconds to keep Utah at bay after the Utes cut a BYU 15-point lead to five with two minutes to play.
  • The Cougars, who never trailed the final 30 minutes, outscored Utah 21 to 12 off turnovers.
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) takes the ball hard to the hoop as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Rudi Williams (3) drops in a three point shot as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Noah Waterman (0) rips down a rebound as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore (45) celebrates with teammate Rudi Williams (3) during a timeout as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5), guard Rudi Williams (3), guard Dallin Hall (30), and guard Jaxson Robinson (2) celebrate as BYU defeats Utah at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope celebrates the win with students as BYU defeats Utah at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes players and coaches watch during the game as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Rudi Williams (3) puts up a free throw as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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The Brigham Young Cougars' bench celebrates as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore (45) battles Utah Utes guard Marco Anthony (10) for a rebound as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore (45) has his dunk rejected as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guards Marco Anthony (10) and Gabe Madsen (55) hold back Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) on a free throw as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Rollie Worster (25) defends Brigham Young Cougars guard Rudi Williams (3) as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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The Brigham Young Cougars' bench celebrates as Utah Utes guard Marco Anthony (10) is called for a flop as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Rudi Williams (3) brings the ball up court as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith yells at a referee as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Keba Keita (13) grabs a rebound from Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore (45) loses the handle on the ball as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars mascot Cosmo slaps hands with fans courtside as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars students try to disrupt Utah Utes guard Marco Anthony (10) during a free throw as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Jaxson Robinson (2) lays up a shot as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Former Brigham Young Cougars star Jimmer Fredette gives a thumbs up to fans during a timeout as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. BYU won 75-66. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) dunks the ball over Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope yells out instructions as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) drives into the lane between Brigham Young Cougars guards Rudi Williams (3) and Richie Saunders (15) as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes coaches and players celebrate a three point shot as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Keba Keita (13) eyes the ball after knocking it away from Brigham Young Cougars forward Atiki Ally Atiki (4) as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith reacts after a foul call as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore (45) reacts after getting points from a deflected ball as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Keba Keita (13) pushes up a shot over Brigham Young Cougars forward Atiki Ally Atiki (4) as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) blocks a shot by Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) takes a pass under the basket with Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore (45) defending as BYU and Utah play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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