This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Who would have thought the Utes would have won THAT game. Not only did the Utes beat New Mexico at home 62-60, but they erased a 13-point deficit to do so. Thought the Utes were down and out at that point, but as Utah coach Jim Boylen pointed out, the Utes are accustomed to battling big deficits. What they aren't accustomed to is winning big games, which Saturday's was for them. Since the Utes are going to the Pac-10 next year it might be the last time the Utes play here for the near future. "What a great way to go out, with a bang like that," center David Foster said. It was for the Utes, who finally have a quality win for the season. Beating New Mexico in Salt Lake City was one thing, but beating them here at the Pit is much more impressive. "No words can explain it," said Hines of his shot that just beat the buzzer. "I've had a lot of game-winning assists in high school, but this is my first game-winner." Hines had 15 points, tying Josh Watkins for the team high while Shawn Glover added 12. The key number though was Utah's season low of six turnovers. They had just three in the first half when the lead changed six times, then committed two in the first five minutes of the second half, helping New Mexico take its biggest lead of the night. They had just one more the rest of the way. "I guess Will (Clyburn) is our turnover problem," joked coach Jim Boylen of Utah's leading scorer who sat out of the game with a heel bruise. Boylen was soaked with sweat and choked up after the win. "We've faced a lot of adversity and I thought we were ready to play but the biggest reason is the respect we have for this program," he said. "The games we've had in this building since I've been here have been unbelievable games, the crowd the intensity. I thought our guys handled it and have grown as the season goes on to play in these environments. We got our butt kicked at San Diego and we responded at BYU and we responded here so we are starting to learn, we are starting to grow."