SALT LAKE CITY — Utah climbed above the .500 mark Sunday. A 78-69 victory over Colorado lifted the Utes to 9-8 overall and 3-2 in Pac-12 play.

Senior guard Sedrick Barefield is confident they can build upon their winning record.

“Absolutely,” he said before noting that beating Colorado was a good deal even though the Buffaloes (10-7, 1-4) were without scoring leader McKinley Wright, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury. “But a win is a win. This gives us momentum going into the Bay Area next week.”

The Utes are at Stanford Thursday and California on Saturday. They return home to face Oregon on Jan. 31.

“So if we handle business the rest of this month that will be good,” Barefield said. “We’ve just got to continue to stay focused and keep getting better because the (Pac-12) is pretty open right now.”

Barefield led Utah to its second straight win with a game-high 22 points. Freshman forward Timmy Allen posted his first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Maybe it was my fault. I thought I told my guys that the game started at 4 p.m. today. They thought it started at 5:30. – Colorado coach Tad Boyle

"I'm playing good ball,” Allen said. “I feel like I'm in a groove. I've got some momentum."

Even so, Allen added that he could do a lot of things better and he’s looking to improve game by game.

Early on, the Utes showed great progress. Although it involved a lot of dunks and 3-point shots, it all began with defense. They had a season-high 18 deflections in the first half.

Utah led 41-19 at halftime. That was the official score. At the same time, though, Colorado held a slim 19-17 edge over Barefield. He made five 3-pointers over the first 20 minutes, emerging from a 2-for-12 slump from beyond the arc a week earlier against Washington and Washington State.

Grid View Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) drives around Colorado Buffaloes guard Shane Gatling (0) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Sedrick Barefield (2) flies to the hoop around Colorado Buffaloes forward Evan Battey (21) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Novak Topalovic (13) blocks Colorado Buffaloes guard Shane Gatling (0) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) knocks the ball away from Colorado Buffaloes forward Evan Battey (21) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) pushes up a shot at the hoop as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) pushes up a shot as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Sedrick Barefield (2) drops in a three point shot with Colorado Buffaloes forward Lucas Siewert (23) and guard Tyler Bey (1) running at him as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Sedrick Barefield (2) gets by Colorado Buffaloes guard Shane Gatling (0) for a layup as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Colorado Buffaloes forward Lucas Siewert (23) works hard to defend Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Colorado Buffaloes forward Lucas Siewert (23) works hard to defend Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) knocks the ball away from Colorado Buffaloes forward Evan Battey (21) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) knocks the ball away from Colorado Buffaloes forward Evan Battey (21) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Novak Topalovic (13) puts up a shot over Colorado Buffaloes guard Tyler Bey (1) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Colorado Buffaloes guard D'Shawn Schwartz (5) works to defend Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) celebrates after a put-back and foul as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) knocks the ball away from Colorado Buffaloes guard D'Shawn Schwartz (5) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) finishes off a fast break with a dunk as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) takes the pass on a fast break after causing a turnover as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) and Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) celebrate after a steal and fast-break dunk as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Both Gach (11) and Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) walk back to the bench as timeout is called as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah's coaching staff reacts after a foul call as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Sedrick Barefield (2) goes up for a 3-point shot as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes center Jayce Johnson (34) blocks Colorado Buffaloes forward Lucas Siewert (23) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes center Jayce Johnson (34) battles Colorado Buffaloes guard Tyler Bey (1) for a rebound as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Beau Rydalch (25) celebrates with Utah Utes guard Sedrick Barefield (2) after a dunk and foul as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Beau Rydalch (25) celebrates with Utah Utes guard Sedrick Barefield (2) after a dunk and foul as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Sedrick Barefield (2) flies to the hoop around Colorado Buffaloes forward Evan Battey (21) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) brings the ball up court as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes head coach Larry Krystkowiak and assistant head coach Tommy Connor cheer for Utah Utes center Jayce Johnson (34) after a good play as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Riley Battin (21) flips in a shot over Colorado Buffaloes guard Eli Parquet (24) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) defends Colorado Buffaloes guard Shane Gatling (0) as he drives to the hoop as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Parker Van Dyke (5) takes an elbow from Colorado Buffaloes guard Shane Gatling (0) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69.

Utah Utes guard Parker Van Dyke (5) takes an elbow from Colorado Buffaloes guard Shane Gatling (0) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Timmy Allen (20) wrestles with Colorado Buffaloes guard Eli Parquet (24) for the ball as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Donnie Tillman (3) is fouled by Colorado Buffaloes guard D'Shawn Schwartz (5) on a dunk as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes forward Donnie Tillman (3) screams after being fouled by Colorado Buffaloes guard D'Shawn Schwartz (5) on a dunk as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Charles Jones Jr. (1) falls backwards after fouling Colorado Buffaloes guard Eli Parquet (24) as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes guard Charles Jones Jr. (1) pushes the ball with Colorado Buffaloes guard Tyler Bey (1) defending as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle rubs his head as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Utes head coach Larry Krystkowiak talks with his players during a timeout as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Colorado Buffaloes guard Daylen Kountz (2) drives to the hoop as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Colorado Buffaloes forward Evan Battey (21) goes to the hoop with Utah Utes center Jayce Johnson (34) defending as Utah and Colorado play in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Utah won 78-69. Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Barefield made three of his early 3-pointers during a 28-6 run that broke open a close game. Leading 9-7, Utah ignited the outburst by reeling off 12 straight points, including seven by Allen. Colorado was held scoreless for almost six minutes during the pivotal stretch.

"It's never going to be perfect, but right up until about the last four minutes of the first half it was really solid,” said Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak. “We played with a tremendous amount of energy, I thought, defensively."

Krystkowiak explained that the Utes used a couple of zone concepts to get things going.

"It kind of opened the game up with some of those turnovers and getting out in transition — a heck of a lot of momentum,” Krystkowiak added.

By game’s end, Allen and Donnie Tillman each had three steals. Big men Jayce Johnson and Novak Topalovic wound up with two blocks apiece.

Utah led by as many as 28 points in the first half, but ended up getting outscored 50-37 in the second. However, Colorado failed to pull inside of single-digits until the Buffaloes capped all scoring with a basket in the closing seconds.

“Maybe it was my fault,” said Colorado coach Tad Boyle. “I thought I told my guys that the game started at 4 p.m. today. They thought it started at 5:30.”