[ad_1]
In BYU’s first home game in a month, the Cougars had a solid second period, fleeing Portland 95-67 at the Marriott Center on Thursday night.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Domination in painting
BYU (12-3, 3-1 West Coast Conference) had the paint against Portland (6-8, 0-5 WCC), led by a solid night overall from Matt Haarms. The Cougar big man had a high of 23 points – he shot 9 for 9 from the field – and added six rebounds, three blocked shots and one steal, as BYU had 42 points in the paint at 22 for Portland.
Richard Harward added 12 points and six rebounds for BYU, which topped Drivers 44-27. Guard Alex Barcello led the Cougars with a career-high eight rebounds.
-
Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) scores against Portland Drivers forward Hunter Seymour (23) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars goalie Brandon Averette (4) reacts during the game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Alex Barcello (13) and Matt Haarms (3) joke from the bench as their teammates play against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) prepares to shoot Portland Drivers forward Mikey Henn (24) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars goaltender Alex Barcello (13) scores ahead of Portland Drivers forward Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars forward Kolby Lee (40) keeps the ball from Portland Pilots forward Mikey Henn (24) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Portland Pilots forward Hunter Seymour (23) tries to block Brigham Young Cougars cross Richard Harward (42) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) walks past Portland Pilots forward Hayden Curtiss (15) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars coach Mark Pope celebrates after beating Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) guards Portland Drivers’ goalie Quincy Ferebee (4) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) smiles after scoring two of his 23 points in the game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) scores two of his 23 points in the game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars goalie Alex Barcello (13) walks past Portland Pilots forward Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) walks past Portland Pilots forward Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars goalie Trevin Knell (21) walks past Portland Drivers goalie Ahmed Ali (2) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
-
Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) descends to the ground on a loose ball that was picked up by Portland Pilots forward Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Second half surge
The drivers kept the game close for a half – there were six at the break – and stayed into the opening minutes of the second half before the Cougars retired with impressive shooting exposure.
At one point in the second half, BYU had 14 of 15 shots and 21 of 32 (65.6%) in the final 20 minutes – the Cougars shot 57.1% for the game. BYU defeated Portland 58-36 in the second half.
The Cougars also hit 9 of 17 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes – and 14 of 33 overall – as seven BYU players hit 3s, led by three each from Trevin Knell and Connor Harding.
A big help
A big driving force behind the Cougars’ offensive showcase was the team’s ability to share the ball. BYU had 28 assists on 36 field goals, including 17 in the second half.
Two Cougars finished with six assists: Barcello, who also scored 10 points, and Caleb Lohner, who added nine points and six rebounds.
[ad_2]
Source link