Utah forward Kendyl Sanders (13) looks down court during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
Joe Coles
By Joe Coles
Joe covers University of Utah sports for the Deseret News.

Oklahoma State outplayed Utah late in the second half Saturday to deal the Runnin’ Utes their third consecutive loss after a week off of play.

Anthony Roy scored 24 points to pace the Cowboys in an 81-69 win at the Huntsman Center, while Terrance Brown had 20 points to lead the Utes.

Here are three takeaways from another Big 12 loss for Utah.

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Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) gets himself up, after being fowled during an NCAA basketball game against Oklahoma State held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah head coach Alex Jensen rubs his eyes in-between plays in the defeat against Oklahoma State during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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A young Ute fan watches during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Oklahoma State center Parsa Fallah (22) high fives Oklahoma State forward Christian Coleman (4) during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Oklahoma State bench celebrates a 3 three-pointer during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Oklahoma State guard Kanye Clary (1) and Utah forward Keanu Dawes (8) wrestle over a ball possession during an NCAA basketball game against Oklahoma State held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah fans leave before the game is over during an NCAA basketball game against Oklahoma State held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Oklahoma State head coach Steve Lutz leads his team to victory against Utah during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah Spirit Squad member throws t-shirts to the crowd during an NCAA basketball game against Oklahoma State held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah forward Josh Hayes (7) looks up to see his ball displaced by Oklahoma State guard Anthony Roy (9) during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah forward James Okonkwo (32) loses the ball attempting to dunk during an NCAA basketball game against Oklahoma State held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) weaves through Oklahoma State center Parsa Fallah (22) and Oklahoma State guard Vyctorius Miller (5) during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah guard Don McHenry (3) throws the ball out of bounds during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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A Utah spirit squad member flies through the air during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Oklahoma State forward Christian Coleman (4) leaves the crowd in awe as he jumps over Utah forward Seydou Traore (0) during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah guard Don McHenry (3) passes the ball behind him during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) hangs on the rim after a slam dunk during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah forward Seydou Traore (0) goes airborne for a slam dunk during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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University of Utah Students cheer for a 3-pointer during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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University of Utah Dancers point to the crowd during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New
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Utah forward Kendyl Sanders (13) looks down court during an NCAA basketball game held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Brad Simmons for the Deseret New

Utah had no answer for Anthony Roy

Roy started the game hot, making three consecutive 3-pointers, and ended the contest the same way, pouring in 12 second-half points to lead the scoring charge for the Cowboys.

Roy was a scorching 5 for 8 from 3-point range and was 5 of 6 from the free-throw line in the win.

The defining stretch

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In a tight, back-and-forth affair throughout much of Saturday’s game, Oklahoma State separated starting with six minutes remaining in the second half, expanding its lead from three points to eight as Utah went relatively cold down the stretch.

Deficiencies on the glass

In another game with less-than-stellar defense for Utah, the glass game stood out in the defeat.

The Cowboys outrebounded the Utes 43-34 and made the most of those opportunities with 12 second-chance points in an 11-point win.

Christian Coleman led the way for the Cowboys on the boards with 10.

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