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.

The Cougars' free throw shooting against Utah was emblematic of how the season has gone in Young’s first season in Provo. BYU has had opportunities to win games, but the fragility of basketball has them sitting at 11-6 overall this season and 2-4 in conference play.

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

He outscored his season average of 4.4 points solely in overtime, posting six points from a clutch game-tying 3-pointer and three made free throws — all the more valuable in a game where Utah missed 15 shots from the charity stripe — which ended up being the winning difference.

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.

The rivalry between BYU and Utah added another chapter to its storied history Saturday night in Salt Lake City, as the Runnin’ Utes outlasted the Cougars 73-72 in overtime. For BYU, it was yet another close loss in an already frustrating season,