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Utah's Ricky Johns puts up a rebounded shot up over TCU's Neiman Owens, left, and Ryan Wall.
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Feb. 3, 2007
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Ricky Johns scored 15 of his career-high tying 18 points in the second half as Utah handed TCU its seventh straight loss, 70-65 Saturday night at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.
Utah (8-14, 3-6 Mountain West) led by as much as 13 in the second half before TCU (10-11, 2-7) got within one late.
Brent Hackett scored 22 points and Kevin Langford added 21 for the Horned Frogs. They haven't won since staring conference play 2-0.
Luke Nevill had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Two other Utes reached double figures in points with Johnnie Bryant tossing in 14 and freshman forward Daniel Deane setting a career-high with 10.
Utah got its first win away from home in conference play and its first victory on an opponents' home court this season. TCU lost its seventh in a row.
The Utes have also turned around a losing trend in close games. After losing their first nine games decided by six points or less, the Utes have won their last three.
Utah led by seven at halftime and opened the second half with an 11-5 run to lead 47-34.
Then TCU went on a 9-0 spurt over the next four minutes to get back in the game. The Horned Frogs got within 54-52 on Femi Ibikunle's basket with 7:28 remaining.
Johns scored six of Utah's next 10 points to stretch Utah's cushion to 64-56.
The Horned Frogs got within 64-63 on Kevin Langford's basket with 1:05 left.
Johns had another hoop, and Johnnie Bryant hit four free throws to help Utah hold on in the final minute.
TCU's largest lead of the game was 26-22 with 5:53 to play in the first half after it scored nine unanswered points. However, the Utes followed with a 10-0 run of their own over the next two minutes to take a 32-26 lead. The Utes led 36-29 at the break.
For the game, Utah was 22-for-26 (.846) from the free throw line, while TCU was just 13-for-24 (.542). TCU forced Utah into making a season-high 25 turnovers, but the Utes held the advantage on the glass, 35-23.
The two schools split the season series, with each team winning on the road.
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