COL BKB: Brigham Young 72, Utah 59

PROVO, Utah, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Jimmer Fredette struck for 23 points and Charles Abouo added 22 for No. 8 Brigham Young Saturday in a 72-59 victory over Utah.

Fredette, the nation's leading scorer, put in 12 uninterrupted points in the second half to break the game open, starting with a 3-point play to put BYU up 51-48 with 9:20 left and ending with a layup 2 1/2 minutes later.

Abouo also grabbed 10 rebounds and Jackson Emery added 17 and made six steals for the Cougars (24-2, 10-1 MWC), who raised their home record to 11-0.

Utah (10-14, 3-7), meanwhile, dropped its fifth straight.

Will Clyburn led the Utes with 16 points and Chris Kupets came off the bench for 14.