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Show make the home court advantage work for them five days later against powerful Utah State. Utah lost the rematch, 102-92, in a game much closer than the score would indicate. The outcome was in extreme doubt up to the last minute of play. Following the home court loss, the Utes were faced with a four-game road campaign. But suitcases didn't seem to bother them anymore as they returned with three victories, including two wins in three WAC contests. Utah first knocked off Stanford, 99-91, in its final non-conference game of the season.. Then, touring Arizona, the Redskins embarrassed the University of Arizona, 99-86, and downed a TOUGH Arizona State squad, 95-90. But Brigham Young University spoiled a perfect vacation by clubbing Utah, 103-89, in Provo, in a preview of things to come. Still in fine shape with a 4-3 WAC record and two road wins, the Redskins improved on the win column with two home victories at the expense of New Mexico (69-62) and UTEP (69-64). Gaining a split on its last road trip, Utah was promptly voted the team most likely to succeed. The Utes bowed humbly to Colorado State, 101-86, then battled to an 83-79 decision over Wyoming. The Redskins had but to continue their perfect performance at home in the three remaining games to grab their second WAC crown. Arizona State complied with the rules by going down in defeat, 106-97. And Arizona cooperated also, losing 102-97. The Redskins now had momentum with three wins in a row and having surpassed the century mark in scoring in the past two games. But the Utes had more BYU than they had momentum, and the Cougars snatched the conference crown from them in their own back yard in a game whose outcome was obvious most of the way. The 98-97 loss settled Utah's WAC record 9-5, a tie for second with UTEP. |
