Utes Win At Stanford For First Time Since 1971
Jan 24, 2019, 9:48 PM
Courtesy of Utah Athletics
PALO ALTO, Calif. – For the first time since 1971, the Utah Utes pulled off a victory at Stanford with a 70-66 win.
Facing a Stanford team that head coach Larry Krystkowiak said would create a lot of challenges with their length, the Utes prevailed on the strength of 80-plus percent free throw shooter Sedrick Barefield’s clutch play at the line.
Hard Fought Battle
Playing back and forth basketball to start the game, the Utes managed to grab a 31-26 halftime. This came despite the fact that Stanford blocked seven Utah shots in the first half.
THOSE RUNNIN’ UTES.
Late heroics from Sed Barefield and Parker Van Dyke helps @UtahMBB pull away with the road victory over Stanford 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nl9UctySL4
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) January 25, 2019
The Utes had great success from long range, converting on 5-of-7 attempts. In comparison, the Cardinal made just 1-for-6 in the opening 20 minutes.
To start the second half, Stanford quickly evaporated Utah’s lead with a 9-3 run. KZ Okpala knocked down one of two free throws to take a 36-35 lead with 15 minutes remaining.
Daejon Davis’ layup with 11:10 remaining gave Standford its biggest lead of the game at 47-41. From there, the Utes battled to cut the lead to the 47-46, but the Cardinal again built another six-point lead on a layup by Davis.
The Utes would not surrender however, and went on a quick 8-0 run thanks to two 3-pointers by Sedrick Barefield on back-to-back possessions to give Utah the led at 56-54.
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 25, 2019
Davis and Okpala got the led back for Stanford at 60-58 but a 7-3 run by the Utes made it a tie game at 63-all with a minute remaining.
The Utes made just one field goal in the final minute on a layup by Parker Van Dyke and held Stanford without a made field goal down the stretch. Barefield was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line, which put the game on ice and secured Utah’s first win in Palo Alto in nearly 50 years.
By The Numbers
Barefield finished with 18 points, including 13 scored in the second half.
Donnie Tillman had 11 points off the bench while Van Dyke chipped in 10.
Utes Looking For Road Sweep
Up next for Utah is a contest against Cal.
For Barefield he knows how big this opportunity to secure a road sweep could be for his team.
Utes WIN!😃 Final Score Utah 70, Stanford 66.
Now it’s your chance to win! Share a photo showing your Utah spirit and use the hashtag #UtesxWellsFargo.#GoUtes🏀🔴 | #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/8pA4HcATvU
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 25, 2019
“We knew this trip was big for us,” said Barefield after the game. “Just coming in and understanding that we could go on a really big win streak and then go home next week and try to protect home court.”
The game against Cal will tip off on Saturday at 6 p.m. and be televised on ESPNU.
