Feb. 27, 2007
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Ricky Johns scored a career-high 30 points in his final home game for Utah, leading the Utes to a 74-68 upset of surging San Diego State at the Huntsman Center on Tuesday night.
Playing with members of his family in the crowd, the senior guard from the Bronx, N.Y., made 11 of 13 shots, including six of seven three-point attempts, to far surpass his previous career-high of 18 points and lift the Utes (11-17 overall, 6-9 Mountain West Conference) to their second straight win.
The Aztecs had won seven of their last eight games, but could not overcome an early 13-point deficit.
Mohamed Abukar scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Aztecs (20-9, 9-6), after suffering through a 1-for-7 first half.
Brandon Heath added 19 points.
The Utes finished the first half on a 17-4 run to take a 32-19 halftime lead that they never relinquished - despite making only four of their nine free throws in the final 1:10. Luke Nevill had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Utes.