Rawson Scores 22, Utah Rolls Washington State 82-69
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Tyler Rawson scored 22 points and knocked down a career-high six 3-pointers as Utah beat Washington State 82-69 on Sunday night.
The Utes (12-7, 4-4) won their second consecutive game for the first time since late December and the Cougars (9-10, 1-6) have now lost 6 of 7.
Utah got contributions from some unlikely faces en route the double-digit victory. It never trailed.
Rawson went 6 for 7 from 3-point range after not scoring in double digits the last three games. The 22 points were his second-highest total of the season and the most since Dec. 20.
Guard Sedrick Barefield came off the bench for the first time during Pac-12 play and found the shooting touch that had disappeared as he was a combined 1 for 16 in the previous three games. The junior finished with 14 points.
Forward Gabe Bealer was aggressive and surpassed his point totals from Utah's previous eight games in the first half alone. His 15 points were the most since scoring a season-high 20 in the second game of the year.
The reliable Justin Bibbins added 13 points and season-high 12 assists.
Washington State trailed by 42-32 at halftime, but cut the lead to six points after a 7-0 run early in the second half. The Utes however answered with a 14-5 run that essentially put the game away.
Malachi Flynn (19 points) Robert Franks (18 points) carried the load for Washington State.
BIG PICTURE
Washington State: The Cougars live and die by the 3-pointer and the long ball (9 for 25) kept them alive against the Utes when the game could have been uglier. Defense, however, continues to be an issue and WSU struggled to get stops.
Utah: The Utes didn't have to rely so much on Bibbins and Dave Collette to carry the scoring load and even survived limited minutes for Donnie Tillman due to foul trouble. Utah needs more nights like this where Barefield and Bealer have strong offensive nights.
UP NEXT
Washington State: Travels to face rival Washington on Jan. 28.
Utah: Travels to face No. 16 Arizona State on Thursday.