The BYU Cougars improved to 5-2 in conference play as they steamrolled the visiting Pepperdine Waves on Thursday night 99-70.
Photo Courtesy of BYU Photo
PROVO – Returning to the Marriott Center was just what the Cougars needed as they returned to their winning ways. BYU steamrolled the visiting Pepperdine Waves (5-14, 1-6 WCC) by a score of 99-70 while improving to 14-6 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
Early in the game, BYU and Pepperdine matched each other blow-for-blow as either team was able to find much wiggle room, that is until BYU went on a 10-0 run – behind the combination of Eric Mika and TJ Haws who scored five points a piece for the Cougars – over a span of 93 seconds to pull ahead 38-27.
From there, they never looked back.
BYU went back to the locker room with a comfortable 16 point lead behind 16 points from Eric Mika while Elijah Bryant chipped in ten. As a team, they shot 58% from the field, and 67% on three-point shots.
The momentum carried over to the second half as the Cougars were able to capitalize on the momentum and give the starters plenty of rest. By the end of the game, all 14 Cougars saw playing time and 13 were able to get buckets.
A handful of Cougars were able to reach landmarks in Thursday’s win: Nick Emery made a three-point shot for the 29th consecutive game – breaking a record previously owned by Jimmer Fredette, Eric Mika recorded his sixth straight double-double – the fourth longest streak in BYU history, and Corbin Kaufusi scored his first field goal of the season after joining the team mid-year due to a commitment to the football team – Kaufusi finished with five points.
Four Cougars finished the game scoring in double figures: Mika with 22 points – his tenth 20+ point game of the season, Elijah Bryant with 15 points, and Nick Emery and LJ Rose who finished with 10 points each.
The Cougars will hit the road to face the Pacific Tigers (8-11, 2-4 WCC) who they previously beat at home on January 7th, 91-62. That game can be heard on the Cougar IMG Sports Network (102.7 FM, 1160 AM, 143 Sirius XM) with Greg Wrubell on the call.
