Great Britton conquers AFA with late spurt

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Feb 17, 2002 | by Staff

SALT LAKE CITY - Britton Johnsen scored seven of his game-high 17 points in a 19-5 stretch over the last 6 minutes to give Utah a come- from-behind 59-51 victory Air Force on Saturday night in a Mountain West Conference matchup.

Trace Caton gave the Utah (18-5, 8-2 Mountain West) its first lead at 47-46 with 4:39 to play when he stole the ball and converted two free throws following a foul by A.J. Kuhle on the breakaway.

Kuhle led Air Force (9-13, 3-6) with 13 points and Tom Bellairs added 12 points for the Falcons.

The Utes made just one of their first seven field goals and did not hit double digits until 4:32 left in the opening half, when reserve Phil Cullen hit a 3-pointer to get it to 22-12.

Cullen followed with another 3 and converted a pair from the line as Utah went on a 13-0 run to tie the game at 22.

Air Force led 28-24 at halftime and took a 46-40 lead on Bellairs' lay-in with 7:18 to go.

The Falcons did not score again until Bellairs converted a layup with 1 minute left.

Lamoni Yazzie hit a 3 for Air Force with 8 seconds to go to cap the scoring.

Cullen finished with 13 points and Jeff Johnsen had 12 points for the Utes.

Utah coach Rick Majerus missed the game with a bronchial infection. Assistant coach Dick Hunsaker filled in for him.

The Falcons shot 53 percent (17-of-32) and made seven of 14 3- pointers.

Air Force did itself no favors at the foul line, though, managing just 10 made free throws in 17 attempts.

The taller Utes outrebounded Air Force 23-16.

Air Force entered riding a two-game conference win streak. The last time the Falcons won three straight in conference play was 1990.