Provo, UT –
A 21-0 first half run sparked BYU (3-0) to its’ third victory of the 2023 season Monday night defeating Southeastern Louisiana 105-48.
Fousseyni Traroe, Trevin Knell, Jaxson Robinson, and Spencer Johnson all finished in double-figures. Knell and Traroe finished with 18, Robinson finished with 17, and Johnson finished with 11.
Trevin Knell ended up being the most efficient player on the court with a plus 43, while shooting 7-of-12 from the field, and 4-of-8 (50%) from 3-point range. Knell also added three rebounds and three assists.
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The spread coming into Wednesday night’s game was 22 and half. BYU blew that out of the water, out scoring the Lions by 57. The last time BYU defeated a team by 50 or more points was in 2016 against San Diego on February 20th in 2016 (91-33).
“I thought our offense was good, I think the best thing we had going was two things. One we only turn the ball over fives. We are really proud of that. We came into half only two, and two of them were offensive fouls. The guys did an unbelievable job protecting the ball…and Fouss’s three point shooting carried us. He’s gotten to that point every time he touches it the whole Marriott is saying shoot it Fouss, so I think those two things carried us” BYU coach Mark Pope in regards to his teams 50 point blowout.
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Turnovers were a major issue for this team last season, averaging 14.1 turnovers per game and ranking in the Top-50. Needless to say, this season Mark Pope’s team has taken care of the basketball to start the season, having turned the ball over 10 times in one game thus far. The last Cougars had five or less turnovers in game dates back to January 11th, 2020 against Portland.
BYU’s defense showed strong and true again. For the second time this season BYU held an opponent to under 50 points in the first half. The Cougars would also force 15 turnovers, which translated into 23 points.
The last time the Cougars held an opponent to under 50 points was last season on January 7th 2023 against St. Mary’s. It would also be the second time this season you held an opponent to less than 20 points in the first half.
After Wednesday’s win, BYU moved up from 27th to 16th in KenPom after tonight’s 105-48 blowout win against Southeastern Louisiana.
All 105 points in Wednesday’s night’s game were ALL from last year’s team.
BYU will now welcome Morgan State to the Marriott Center Saturday November 18th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm MDT.
