Utah takes the fight to BYU for its second straight win in the rivalry
The Utes turned around the contest by attacking the rim and enjoyed a standout night from Ezra Ausar
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Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) celebrates after scoring a basket during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Utah wasn’t about to let BYU push the Runnin’ Utes around on their home court.
Thanks to an attack-the-paint mentality headlined by a phenomenal night from Ezra Ausar and a wild finish that included an unforgettable overtime session, Utah has a two-game winning streak over their rivals after the Utes beat the Cougars 73-72 Saturday night at the Huntsman Center.
The win has historical significance — it was the first time the two teams met as Big 12 foes, and it added to the win column for the team in red.
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“Well, what a game. Obviously, it’s a lot easier for me to say that,” Utah coach Craig Smith said. “You know, we’ve been on both sides of that thing when you coach as long as we have, and these rivalry games, you just throw everything out the door. It’s just how it is and the way it ended.
“I’m not sure it was surprising to anybody and fortunately for us, we were able to make one more play at the end of the day.”
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Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) celebrates after scoring a basket during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) knocks a shot by Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) out of the air during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Mason Madsen (45) drives the ball to the basket during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes players celebrate on the sidelines after scoring a basket during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Mike Sharavjamts (25) attempts to block a shot by Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) dribbles the ball down the court during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) puts up a shot while being guarded by Utah Utes forward Jake Wahlin (10) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) drives to the basket while being guarded by Utah Utes guard Mike Sharavjamts (25) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) puts up a shot during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) and Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) both battle for a rebound during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) drives towards the basket to dunk the ball during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) dribbles the ball against Utah Utes guard Mason Madsen (45) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) puts up a shot while being guarded by Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13), guarded by Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34), loses control of the ball while driving towards the basket during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) puts up a 3 during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) and Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) both battle for rebound during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) dunks the ball during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Caleb Lohner (11) puts up a shot while being guarded by Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) dribbles the ball down the court during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) reaches over Utah Utes guard Mason Madsen (45) for a loose ball during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) knocks a shot made by Utah Utes guard Mason Madsen (45) out of the air during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) attempts to drive through Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) and forward Mawot Mag (0) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) dribbles the ball down the court during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) dunks the ball during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) and Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) both compete in a tip off at the start of overtime during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Hunter Erickson (0) drives the ball to the hoop during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes guard Miro Little (1) celebrates with teammates after Utah’s victory over the Brigham Young Cougars in a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young argues with a referee during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans taunt Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young after a referee call during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars teammates celebrate from the sideline after a 3-pointer by forward Mawot Mag (0) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes forward Ezra Ausar (2) steals the ball from Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) during a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes players celebrate after their victory over the Brigham Young Cougars after a basketball game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Trey Stewart (1) reaches for a loose ball against Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) and guard Gabe Madsen (55) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) and Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) both battle for a jump ball during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) dribbles towards the basket while being guarded by Utah Utes forward Jake Wahlin (10) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) puts up a shot during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) puts up a shot while being guarded by Utah Utes forward Jake Wahlin (10) during a basketball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Following a rough and tumble first half where both teams struggled to shoot the ball — BYU was 32.4% from the floor and Utah was 33.3% — the Cougars led 30-27. BYU had a 7-3 edge on the offensive glass and a 6-2 advantage in second-chance points.
The Cougars even led by as many as eight points over the Utes, and multiple times, it looked like BYU could pull away a bit more.
The undaunted Utes, though, never let that happen.
Utah’s strong second half
Early in the second half after the Cougars took a 35-27 lead, Utah turned to its physical inside presence to take control.
Ausar scored 12 points and Lawson Lovering had four during a 16-4 run for the Utes that saw the home team flip the game and the momentum, as they took a 43-39 lead with 14:16 to play that forced a timeout from Kevin Young.
“(Ausar) had a great look, and I think he’s learning how to really compete. He’s really learning how to play with force,” Smith said.
In a game that was a grind-it-out event much of the night, that set the tone for a final 10-plus minutes that was thrilling and tight.
Ausar, in particular, excelled in the physical matchup on his way to a season-high 26 points.
“Just really proud of myself. I know I’ve just been kind of fighting my own emotions and feelings, even though the best just came out, and I feel like I’ve still got more to go,” Ausar said.
He shot 11 of 15 from the field and 4 of 8 from the free-throw line, proving to be a lot to handle for the Cougars’ interior guys like Keba Keita, the former Utah big man.
“Ausar was a beast in there. We had a hard time with him,” Young said.
When Ausar drove the baseline and scored over Keita to make it 55-50 for Utah, that might as well have been a moment of Zen for Utah fans, seeing how their new player bested their former player who was constantly booed from the home crowd when he touched the ball.
That was one of the more entertaining matchups of the night, and worth the price of admission for the 15,558 fans in attendance.
“Thank you to our fans for coming out tonight. Thank you to the MUSS. … We need to replicate that over and over and over again,” Smith said.
He continued, “But seriously, fans impact winning. They impact winning. They don’t go out there and win, but they impact winning. … The energy, the intensity, it can be daunting for the other team. So thank you to all the fans for coming out.”
Attacking the paint was a solid strategy, given how the Utes struggled from 3-point range. Utah was only 6 of 23, while BYU wasn’t much better, at 8 of 30.
Even then, there was an entertaining minute of basketball in the second half that involved Keanu Dawes hitting an open 3 when Keita sagged off him. That was followed on the next possession by a 3 from BYU’s Kanon Catchings, though Hunter Erickson had an answer of his own, nailing a 3 to make it 53-48.
Speaking of struggling, both schools were awful from the free-throw line. The Cougars hit only 4 of 10, with the last miss the most crushing, while Utah made 17 of 32.
The game was won inside the paint, though, even if many of the resulting free-throw attempts were difficult to watch.
Ausar’s inside bucket with 2:25 to play gave Utah a 59-55 lead, and it set up a back-and-forth final minute, plus the overtime session.
BYU’s Mawot Mag made a corner 3 with 51 seconds to play, after Lovering made 1 of 2 free throws, and it gave BYU its first lead since the 17:09 mark of the second half at 62-61.
On its ensuing possession after a timeout, Gabe Madsen drew in the defense, then found a cutting Ausar for a wide-open dunk, giving him 22 points.
Keita missed on the other end, and Ausar rebounded. He made 1 of 2 free throws to put Utah ahead 64-62.
After the Cougars called a timeout, Richie Saunders drove but missed, though Fousseyni Traore was there for the putback, making it 64-64.
The Utes had time to get a shot off, but Ausar’s turnaround jumper bounced off the rim, sending the game to overtime.
The overtime action
As wild as that final minute of regulation was, the overtime session raised the bar.
Traore, who led BYU in scoring along with Richie Saunders (both had 16), made two buckets early in the extra period, and BYU had a three-point lead.
Utah’s free-throw shooting made overtime an adventure, or a nightmare, however you’d like to look at it.
The Utes made 4 of 12 from the charity stripe in overtime, though there was a silver lining in a redemption moment for Erickson — more on that in a minute.
Egor Demin’s slam dunk put BYU ahead 70-67, but then Erickson, who played two seasons at BYU, drilled a 3-pointer to tie the score at 70-70 with 2:02 to play.
Saunders gave the Cougars the lead back on a layup with 57 seconds remaining, but Erickson continued his assertive nature, drove to the hoop and was fouled.
He made the first free throw, but airballed the second, leaving Utah down one with 47.2 seconds to play.
Ausar then poked the ball away from Saunders on the ensuing possession for a Utah steal, and Erickson again drove to the hoop and was fouled.
This time, Erickson made the two most important free throws of the night, and the Utes were up 73-72.
“I’m a good shooter all around and I’ve got confidence in myself. So in those moments, you just don’t have time to think about what’s happened,” Erickson said. “You’ve just got to move on to the next and be in the present. I just did that as best I could and worked out.”
BYU still had a chance, though Dawson Baker missed a shot in the lane. The Cougars got the ball back after it went out of bounds off of Utah, and Trevin Knell was fouled before the ball was inbounded.
Knell missed the 1-on-1 shot, though, and this time, the ball went out of bounds off BYU.
Dawes missed two free throws after Utah got the ball in, but Demin couldn’t hit a 3-point attempt as time expired, giving the Utes the win.
What Utah will celebrate
In addition to Ausar’s standout night, Lovering played physical on both ends and ended with 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He picked up his fourth foul early in the second half, and managed to avoid fouling out while helping control the paint.
Erickson, meanwhile, scored nine points — he and Ausar combined for all nine points in overtime.
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The Utes, too, found ways to fence in BYU’s top scorer, Saunders, on a night where he shot 6 of 16.
“He’s a really good player and really aggressive,” Erickson said. “... And we got a really good scout from the coaches, and I think they did a really good job just kind of emphasizing that to us and making sure that we got to be locked in on him all the time.”
The victory over BYU gives Utah three straight wins after an 0-3 start to Big 12 play.
“The guys just showed a lot tonight. Their connectivity, I think really showed right during some tough times. And we’re growing up,” Smith said.
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