BYU's Dani Kubik Wright, the 2007 MWC Co-Player of the Year, reached 1,000 career points in the first half.
BYU's lead peaked at 13 points, 28-15, with 2:42 left in the first half, before Utah used a 7-2 run to get back to within eight points, 30-22, at halftime. Utah then opened up the second half on a 12-4 run, that ended with seven-straight points from Kalee Whipple, to tie the game at 34 with 15 minutes remaining.
Utah held BYU without a field goal for 8:18, beginning at the 15:19 mark of the second half. Over that stretch, the Utes outscored the Cougars, 9-, to push their lead to five points, 41-36. However, BYU responded with three straight layups from Wright and two free throws by Jennie Keele to regain a 44-41 lead with 4:37 left in the game.
Utah's 13-for-13 performance from the free throw line ties for the best free throw percentage in MWC Tournament history with Air Force, who shot 10-for-10 against the Utes in a 2006 quarterfinal loss.
With the victory, BYU avenges an 84-60 loss to the Utes in the 2006 MWC tournament championship game.
BYU will make its sixth appearance in the MWC Championship game. Overall, the Cougars hold a record of 1-4 in five previous championship-game appearances.
Overall in MWC tournament games, No. 1 seeds are now 4-1 when facing a No. 5 seed.
BYU and Utah have faced each other six times in the MWC Tournament, the most by any two teams. The Cougars even their all-time series with the rival Utes in MWC Tournament play at three games each.
The Cougars will face No. 3 seed New Mexico in a rematch of the 2003 MWC Tournament Championship game. Tip-off for the finals is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. PT.
