Rylan Jones Makes Two Clutch FT’s To Give Utes Win Over Huskies

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah true freshman point guard Rylan Jones made two clutch free throws with 14 seconds left to give the Utes a 67-66 win over the Washington Huskies.

After Jones made the free throws, Washington couldn’t get the win after Riley Battin took a charge, helping the Utes snap a 4-game losing streak.

Jones was scoreless in the first half but finished the game nearly with a triple-double with 13 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds.

WHAT A NIGHT!! #UTES WIN IT!!

🔴 67 | 🐾 66 #GoUtes🏀🔴 #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/WYZCXPjbeX

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 24, 2020

Utes Started Cold

Much like the last 4 games, Utah was ice cold in the first half. They finished the first 20 minutes of the game shooting 29 percent from the field on 8-27 shooting and 2-13 from the three point line.

Entering the game against Washington, Utah shot below 40 percent in three of their last four games.

In the first half against the Huskies, Timmy Allen was 1-5 from the floor, Both Gach and Jones shot a combined 0-7 from the field.

Despite the poor shooting, Utah trailed Washington by just 4 points.

Dead Ball Technical Changed Momentum

Late in the first half, Utah trailed by seven points. Jones drove to the basket and was fouled. While the whistle was being blown, he passed to Mikael Jantunen who attempted a layup. Even though the play was blown dead, Washington forward Jaden McDaniels hit Jantunen in the head.

Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak asked the officials to look at the play for a possible flagrant foul. The officials decided to review it and came to the conclusion that it was a dead ball technical foul on McDaniels and not a flagrant.

Jones was going to the line anyway because Washington was in the penalty. The officials allowed Jones to shoot his two free throws and then gave Jantunen two shots at the line and Utah was given the ball back.

A dead ball technical was called on Jaden McDaniels. Utah hits all four free throws (Rylan Jones was fouled) now they are down by 3.#Utes #Pac12Hoops @kslsports

— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) January 24, 2020

On Utah’s next possession, Jones was fouled on a three-point shot. He made two of three and the Utes trailed by one.

The Utes stopped Washington on defense. When they had the ball, Jones was attempting to drive towards the corner when a Huskies player tried to take a charge, the officials called a blocking foul, sending Jones back to the charity stripe.

The freshman from Olympus High School knocked down both free throws to give the Utes the lead for good.

Jones made 9-10 from the free throw line with most coming at clutch moments in the game. Riley Battin had his best game of the season with 17 points and 5 boards, Allen added 13 points and 9 rebounds.

As a team, Utah shot 34 percent from the field, 12 percent from the three point line and 24-32 from the free throw line.

McDaniels led the Huskies with 14 points, while Isaiah Stewart was held to 13 points and 7 rebounds. Washington shot 51 percent from the floor, 45 percent from the perimeter and 11-14 from the foul line.

The Utes improved their record to 11-7 overall, 2-4 in Pac-12 play. They will return to the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday to face the Washington State Cougars. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.

The Crimson Corner podcast is the one-stop for all things University of Utah Athletics hosted by Utah insider Trevor Allen. Ute fans will find interviews with current players, coaches, and staff alongside expert analysis of every game, story and angle coming out of the University of Utah.

In a thrilling finish, the University of Utah men’s basketball team secured a narrow victory over Washington, thanks in large part to Rylan Jones’s clutch free throws in the final seconds. This intense game not only showcased the players’ resilience but also highlighted the psychological effects of high-pressure situations in sports. Similarly, the lingering impacts of COVID-19 extend beyond physical health, affecting mental well-being and requiring attention to psychological recovery. Just as Jones demonstrated composure under pressure, addressing mental health challenges is crucial for athletes and individuals alike as they navigate the complexities of their experiences.

You can download and listen to the podcast, here.