AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) - In what may have been the most impressive win
of the streak, which began Dec. 17, the Utes (23-3, 11-0 Mountain West) snapped
Air Force's 24-game home winning streak and clinched the conference title. They
also stayed well on track for their 26th NCAA tournament appearance.
Air Force (15-10, 6-4), ranked 104 in the latest RPI ratings, lost a chance at a
quality victory it dearly needed to make the NCAA tournament for the second
straight year. The Falcons, who came in with a half-game lead over Wyoming for
second place, now fight for seeding for the conference tournament, which they
very well may have to win to head back to the NCAAs.
Jacob Burtschi had 15 points for the Falcons, but they all came in the first
half, before Bogut started taking over on both ends of the floor.
The 7-foot Australia native came one rebound short of padding his nation-leading
total of 17 double-doubles. He scored eight points during a 10-0 run that gave
Utah a 36-32 lead and set the tone to open the second half.
He altered shots on defense and generally frustrated Air Force, which by slowing
things down, played right into the big man's hands.
Trailing 53-45 with about 2 minutes left, Bogut altered Nick Welch's shot, then
blocked Dan Nwaelele's attempt after the rebound - a typical sequence for the
Utes, who allowed only three field goals over the first 15 minutes of the second
half.
Bryant Markson scored 15 points and Marc Jackson had 12 for Utah, which has the
second-longest winning streak in the nation, behind only top-ranked Illinois (27
straight).
Welch also had 15 points for the Falcons, whose last home loss came March 3,
2003, to Utah.