"If they could get it done, why can't we?" challenged Elliott, who saw the seeds of that speech flower Wednesday night into a record-setting 19 consecutive victory, 68-53, against visiting TCU in the Huntsman Center.

The last time the No. 16-ranked Utes tasted defeat was two months ago at USC. Utah, which faces No. 24 Wyoming on Sunday, also clinched at least a tie for the Mountain West Conference championship.

"I've never been part of a team that's done that before," said junior guard Morgan Warburton, who scored 19 points. "It's awesome."

Awesome is an apt description of how Utah (24-3, 13-0 MWC) performed much of Wednesday and through most of this historic season. Following a slow start, the Utes took the lead midway through the first half and remained in control, building a 17-point lead in the second half.

Kalee Whipple scored 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while Leilani Mitchell and Jess Perry each scored 14. Perry's 14 came in the first half, a spurt that finally got Utah going. TCU (17-10, 10-3) had its own short streak, seven games, snapped.

"I had no idea until two games ago," Perry said of the streak. "It's an awesome accomplishment."

The 1977 team, which finished 26-3 and advanced to the AIAW National Championship round, was coached by Elliott's mentor and friend Fern Gardner.

"She means too much to me," Elliott said. "It doesn't mean we're better or I'm better.

"I'll tease her about it."

Mitchell knows little about Utah's 31-year record. The senior transfer who sat out last season, understands what it takes to create the accomplishment and appreciates it. Her mind, though, remains in the here and now.

"[The NCAA Tournament] will be fun," she said. "But that's down the road. Right now we have a huge game Sunday against Wyoming. They think they should have won the game there."

Elliott, who normally sells that kind of thinking, allowed herself and the nine players to enjoy the moment.

"We let them have their moment," Elliott said. "Sometimes you make a mistake as coaches thinking enjoying, smiling and laughing is a lack of intensity.

"They help me remember to have fun."

martyr@sltrib.com

Storylines

IN SHORT:

Four Utah players reach double figures in scoring as the Utes set a program record with 19 consecutive victories.

KEY STAT:

TCU had an early 7-5 lead, but never led after that as Utah forced 11 second-half turnovers and builds a 17-point advantage. Four Utah players reach double figures in scoring as the Utes set a program record with 19 consecutive victories.

TCU had an early 7-5 lead, but never led after that as Utah forced 11 second-half turnovers and builds a 17-point advantage.

Kalee Whipple and Morgan Warburton each scores 19 points. Whipple also grabs 10 of the team's 33 rebounds.