Rudi Williams scored 26 point and BYU beat rival Utah to win a 75-66 game on Saturday.
BYU held a 4 point advantage at the break, but used a 9-1 surge in the second period to extend its lead to 59–44 with just 6 minutes remaining. Lazar Stefanovic’s jumper, at 5:27, ended nearly a 4 1/2 minute drought by the Utes. However it also ignited a 13-1 run which cut the gap to 60-57 with just 2:46 left.
Williams responded with a jumper, while Dallin Hall made a 3, and Utah was nowhere near.
Williams made 9 of 13 free throws from the floor, and 6 of 7. The Cougars took the lead with a 3-pointer at 6:44 in the second half. BYU’s FousseyniTraore scored 17 points (8-5). Jaxson Robinson had 10 points, and Gideon George scored 11 points. Williams and Traore each scored 12 points to build a lead of 35-31 at halftime.
Branden Carlson had 18 points in leading Utah (9-3), ending a streak of five consecutive wins. Rollie Worster added 12 points each, while Stefanovic had 12.
Five of the six series’ last six have been won by BYU. Since Dec. 10, 2014, when Utah won 65-61 in Provo, Utah has not been victorious.
BYU will host Lindenwood Tuesday in search of its fourth consecutive win. Utah plays No. TCU hosts Utah on Wednesday.
