Utah finally broke through in Big 12 play on Saturday, gutting out an 82-79 win over TCU at the Huntsman Center in a tightly contested afternoon matchup. It wasn’t just a win-it was a much-needed sigh of relief for a Utes squad that had been searching for answers in conference play. Now sitting at 9-9 overall and 1-4 in the Big 12, Utah showed signs of the team it believes it can be, especially when it starts fast, gets contributions across the board, and leans into its strengths on the glass and from beyond the arc.
Let’s dig into the key takeaways from a game that felt like more than just a notch in the win column-it felt like a turning point.
1. A Fast Start for Once-and It Mattered
Coming into this one, Utah had a troubling trend: falling behind early and spending the rest of the game trying to claw back. In three of their first four Big 12 games, the Utes found themselves in double-digit holes within minutes. But this time, they flipped the script.
Utah opened the game with a 14-0 run, fueled by high-energy defense, strong rebounding, and efficient offense. The Utes hit six of their first 11 shots, while TCU couldn’t buy a bucket-missing their first nine field goal attempts. It took the Horned Frogs over six minutes to get on the scoreboard.
That early burst didn’t decide the game outright-TCU punched back, especially coming out of halftime with a 9-1 run to tie things up at 39. But the tone had already been set.
Every time TCU made a push, Utah had a response. And even as the Horned Frogs trimmed an eight-point deficit to just two in the final 21 seconds, the Utes held their nerve at the free-throw line to seal the deal.
2. The Big Three Delivered-But the Supporting Cast Was Crucial
Utah’s core trio of Terrence Brown, Keanu Dawes, and Don McHenry once again led the way, but this win wasn’t just about the headliners.
Brown was a force in the second half, scoring 18 of his 26 points after the break on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting night. When Utah needed a bucket, he was the go-to guy.
Dawes was everywhere on the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds to go with 10 points and three assists. It was his first double-double since late November, and his presence in the paint helped Utah control the boards all afternoon.
McHenry didn’t have his best shooting night early, but he came through late, scoring six of his 12 points in the final three minutes. He also added a pair of steals and two assists, showing his value on both ends.
But what really stood out was the depth behind them.
Seydou Traore gave Utah another double-digit scorer with 11 points, plus four rebounds and two assists. Freshman Obomate Abbey looked poised running the offense, finishing with five points and four assists.
Fellow freshman Kendyl Sanders added nine points and knocked down two key threes. James Okonkwo, a fifth-year senior, chipped in with four points and six rebounds before fouling out, and Josh Hayes added five points off the bench.
In a game that came down to the final seconds, every one of those contributions mattered.
3. Winning the Margins: Rebounding, Threes, and Ball Movement
It wasn’t a flawless performance-Utah turned the ball over 13 times, and TCU turned those into 15 points. The Horned Frogs’ trapping defense caused problems at times, especially in the halfcourt.
But Utah made up for it by dominating the glass, moving the ball well, and shooting it better from deep.
The Utes outrebounded TCU 40-31, including a 14-10 edge on the offensive boards. That translated into a 12-7 advantage in second-chance points-critical in a game decided by just three.
Utah also shared the ball effectively, racking up 17 assists on 30 made field goals. And while TCU struggled from long range, hitting just four threes, Utah knocked down nine from beyond the arc. That’s a +15 swing in points from deep alone.
Final Word
This was the kind of win that can reset a season. Utah showed what it looks like when they start strong, get balanced production, and lean into their identity-rebounding, toughness, and timely shooting.
The Big 12 is a grind, and the Utes still have a long road ahead. But Saturday’s performance was a reminder: when they put it all together, they can hang with anyone in the league.