Colorado defeated Utah 92-78 on Tuesday night at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, securing a road win in their final away game of the regular season. The Buffaloes improved their record to 17-13 overall and 7-10 in Big 12 play, while Utah dropped to 10-20 overall and 2-15 in conference games.
Bangot Dak and Isaiah Johnson led Colorado’s offense, each scoring 22 points. Dak achieved a double-double with 10 rebounds and contributed four blocks. Johnson added four assists and three steals. Barrington Hargress scored 19 points, making two of three shots from beyond the arc, and Jalin Holland had 11 points, including a career-high three three-pointers.
“I thought we had great offensive efficiency tonight,” head coach Tad Boyle commented. “Bangot [Dak] has 22 points on nine shots. Isaiah [Johnson] got 22 on 10 (shots). Barrington’s [Hargress] got 19 points on 11 shots. That means you’re playing efficiently.”
Utah’s Terrence Brown led all scorers with 26 points.
Colorado took early control of the game, building a lead that reached as much as 26 points by halftime, when they led Utah 51-25. This first-half performance marked Colorado’s highest point total and largest lead in a true road game since December 2000.
The second half saw Utah mount a comeback attempt, making twelve of their first thirteen shots and narrowing the deficit to nine points at one stage. However, Colorado maintained its advantage with timely scoring from Dak and Johnson.
“It was a tale of two halves,” Boyle said. “We were really, really good in the first half, and part of it was Utah missed shots. But our guys, I thought, were really dialed in defensively, and we created some offense with our defense. In the second half, it was just the opposite.They made some tough shots. Credit to Utah for coming back, but I also credit our guys for stemming the tide.”
The Buffaloes shot nearly 61 percent from the field (31-for-51), over 52 percent from three-point range (9-for-17), and almost 93 percent from the free throw line (21-for-23). They forced ten turnovers—nine in the first half—which resulted in fifteen points for Colorado.
With this victory, Colorado is assured of finishing above .500 for the fourteenth time in sixteen seasons under head coach Tad Boyle.
Bangot Dak recorded his fifth career double-double along with career highs in both points (22) and free throws made (nine). Isaiah Johnson moved into second place for freshman season scoring at Colorado with a total of 498 points—just fourteen behind Alec Burks’ school record set during the 2009–10 season.
Colorado will conclude its regular season against Arizona on Saturday at home; Senior Night will honor Elijah Malone.
