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. Utah wasn’t about to let BYU push the Runnin’ Utes around on their home court.

When BYU and Utah basketball play each other, anything can happen. Last year, the Utes handed the No. 14 Cougars their first loss of the season in the Huntsman

There would be no shortage of help for Saunders against Colorado. While BYU came into Tuesday averaging just 70.3 points per game against Big 12 foes, the Cougars scored 83 against the Buffaloes, with 25 coming from Saunders and eight players adding another 58.

In the program’s first conference clash against Utah since 2011, BYU suffered a 73-72 overtime loss to the Runnin’ Utes Saturday night in Salt Lake City. Once again, BYU fell short both on the road and late in the second half.