photo by: utahutes.com

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, February 8, 2018

Utah snapped a two-game losing streak Thursday, as the Utes led from start-to-finish in a 75-60 Pac-12 men’s basketball win over visiting Stanford.

Justin Bibbins led the Utes (14-9 overall, 6-6 Pac-12) with 18 points. Bibbins was 7-of-9 from the field, including 4-for-4 on 3-pointers. Sedrick Barefield netted 17 points and David Collette was next for Utah with 13 points.

Overall, the Utes shot 50 percent – their season best in conference play. Stanford had a 38-31 rebounding edge.

The Cardinal (13-12, 7-5) had their two-game winning streak snapped. Reid Travis led Stanford with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Daejon Davis added 14 points.

Utah led 40-28 at halftime, as Bibbins and Collette combined for 20 points in the first half. A 14-0 second half run, capped by a Bibbins 3-pointer, put the Utes up 67-44.

Though the Cardinal started the night as the second-best shooting team in the Pac-12 at 49 percent, Utah held them to 30.8 percent in the first 20 minutes. Stanford finished the game hitting 35.8 percent from the field.

Utah won despite missing Donnie Tillman, their leading rebounder, who was on the bench in street clothes. Utes Coach Larry Krystkowiak said it was not a disciplinary action.

The loss didn’t help Stanford’s pursuit of a first-round bye in the Pac-12 tournament. Utah, meanwhile, improved its chances of a top-four seed.

Stanford travels to Boulder, Colo,, on Sunday to face Colorado.