Dawes leads Utah to first Big 12 road win, 73-65 over TCU

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Keanu Dawes delivered another stellar performance as Utah basketball secured a pivotal 73-65 road victory over the TCU Horned Frogs, marking their first Big 12 road win. Dawes, who tallied 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists, played a crucial role in sealing the victory with his dynamic scoring and defensive presence in the closing minutes.

The Runnin’ Utes led from start to finish, demonstrating resilience against a late TCU surge. Early in the second half, Utah built a 13-point lead, but the Horned Frogs cut it to six with just four minutes left. A pivotal sequence swung the momentum back to Utah: Lawson Lovering’s lockdown defense on Vasean Allette led to a layup by Dawes, extending the Utes' lead to nine with 2:20 remaining. Dawes also showcased his versatility with two emphatic dunks and a smooth finish at the rim, maintaining Utah’s advantage.

Utah’s success stemmed from excellent ball movement, as they assisted on 18 of their 24 made field goals. Gabe Madsen chipped in a team-high 17 points, including six clutch free throws in the final minute, and Mike Sharavjamts added 10 points. The Utes shot 49% from the field and a solid 19-of-29 from the free-throw line, compared to TCU’s 10-of-21.

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Defensively, Utah held TCU to 38% shooting, despite Allette’s game-high 19 points and nine rebounds. The Horned Frogs battled back but couldn’t overcome their early deficit. Dawes and the Utes consistently answered TCU’s runs, exemplifying poise under pressure.

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With this win, Utah improves to 10-6 overall and 2-3 in Big 12 play. Next, the Utes face BYU in the storied Holy War on the Hardwood rivalry, now renewed as Big 12 opponents. The Saturday showdown promises to be a thrilling continuation of Utah’s conference campaign.


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