The Runnin’ Utes did it!
After nearly blowing a 17-point lead, Utah held on for a thrilling 69-66 victory over No. 6 Kentucky Wednesday night inside the T-Mobile Arena.
It was Utah’s first win over a Top 10 team since 2015. The Utes are now the third Pac-12 team to beat ranked opponent this season (Oregon and Washington).
Utah also got the monkey off its back by beating Kentucky, a team they haven’t beaten since 1976. The win was the program’s third win over the Wildcats in 13 meetings.
Check out (GoUtahUtes.com) to find all of the latest news about the Utes!
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Utah sophomore Timmy Allen had a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds and Both Gach added 14 points and six rebounds in the win. Freshman sensation Rylan Jones played well after missing some games due to injury as the point guard chipped in with 12 points and six assists. Riley Battin scored 10 points and was the only other player in double figures for the Utes.
The victory was a long time coming for Ute fans who witnessed a heartbreaking defeat more than 20 years ago when the Utes fell to Kentucky in the 1998 National Championship game.
Top 10 Win
The last win for Utah against an AP Top-10 team on a neutral court came inside Madison Square Garden when the Runnin’ Utes upset then No. 7-ranked Duke, 77-75, in overtime. The game was played just nine months after the two teams faced off in the Elite Eight.
Here’s how Utah fans, former players and the media reacted after the win:
VICTORY!! UTES TAKE DOWN NO. 6 KENTUCKY!
? 69 | ?66 #GoUtes?? pic.twitter.com/pA6kl5CYW7
— Utah Basketball? (@UtahMBB) December 19, 2019
LOCKER ROOM MOOD‼️??#GoUtes?? pic.twitter.com/GOjWqPfrs4
— Utah Basketball? (@UtahMBB) December 19, 2019
Utah. Sharpie.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) December 19, 2019
You’ll read this in the morning. Yes, @UtahMBB, the 3rd youngest team in the country, just beat No. 6 @KentuckyMBB in Las Vegas. Major offensive issues for Wildcats. Right now, ugly to watch.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) December 19, 2019
Big win !!!! Congrats ?? https://t.co/6J6zpxqIev
— Delon Wright (@delonwright) December 19, 2019
Utah survives and beats No. 6 Kentucky in Las Vegas 69-66. It’s just the third time the Runnin’ Utes have defeated the Wildcats in 13 meetings and the first since December 18, 1976. #Utes @KSL5TV @kslsports
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) December 19, 2019
Coach Majerus……I hope you’re killin a donut up there right now!!!! https://t.co/QnsWkGBxjJ
— Britton Johnsen (@Brittonhoops) December 19, 2019
Tonight Utes writing a new story! Looking good so far!
— Britton Johnsen (@Brittonhoops) December 19, 2019
We Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/BiRrCU1Whn
— Steve Tate (@tate28) December 19, 2019
It's A Great Night to be a UTE!#Utes @UtahMBB pic.twitter.com/9AISgaeJno
— Bill Riley (@espn700bill) December 19, 2019
Under Larry K, Utah has played Duke, Kentucky and Kansas at neutral site locations and have gone 2-1 in those games.
— Dear Old Crimson (@DearOldCrimson) December 19, 2019
If the Utes win tonight I will buy everyone who likes this anything they want for Christmas.
— sTANta Claus ?? (@TanMart03) December 19, 2019
Well, I always liked Andre Miller – and he’s happy. pic.twitter.com/wv0bgpvCLb
— Darek Sharp (@DarekSharp) December 19, 2019
This team is impressively gritty. Lots of mistakes but finding ways to win big games. Thank you for finally beating Kentucky in my lifetime ??
— j ✌? (@thiz_justin) December 19, 2019
I see you @UtahMBB! That’s another impressive win for the @Pac12!
Utes take out 6th ranked Kentucky! pic.twitter.com/EgeRaeYqL5— Michael Yam (@Mike_Yam) December 19, 2019
Depending on what happens tomorrow, this may be one of the greatest 24 hours in Utah Athletics history. #GoUtes
— Andrew T Larsen (@AndrewTLarsen) December 19, 2019
Massive win for @UtahMBB knocking off hated 6th ranked Kentucky ….. finally! They sure tried hard to lose this game by blowing a 17 point lead because of turnovers, conservative clock burning & no offense. But a win is a win! #LightTheU #GoUtes
— Wrigleyville Ute (@jhallito) December 19, 2019
Utah led (or was tied with) Kentucky for 38:03 of the 40:00 minutes of the game. That's a near wire-to-wire win over a top-10 team on a neutral floor.
Ken Pom A win now to accompany 3 "B" wins (Nevada, Utah, Minnesota). Utes putting a resume together— Utebuntu (@Utebuntu) December 19, 2019
— Ute Believer (@UteBeliever) December 19, 2019
Utes beat Kentucky with one of the youngest teams in college basketball, at a neutral site, when Kentucky is top 10. Crazy.
— They So POO POO (@PapaSmurfUTE) December 19, 2019
? @UtahMBB pulled off a huge victory against No. 6 Kentucky, their first win against a ranked opponent since 2016.
Catch all the action ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/G9gLfPGzCE
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 19, 2019
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