Provo, UT –
BYU (13-7, 3-2) had won eight of its last nine games coming into Thursday’s night game against Gonzaga (15-3, 4-0).
An upset minded BYU team looked to pull off what looked yet like the win over the Zags.
Unfortunately, Julian Strawther had something to say about, as the Junior from Las Vegas, NV hit the dagger 3-pointer to give the Bulldogs 75-74 lead, which also secured the win, with 0.9 seconds left.
Just seconds before, Jaxson Robinson took a trip to the free-throw line to extend BYU’s lead to three. Robinson made the first free-throw, but missed the second that led to the Strawther 3-pointer.
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Strawther would finish the game with 11 points and added eight rebounds.
What looked like victory and upset for BYU turned quickly into what some would call a heartbreak.
Drew Timmie helped lead the Bulldogs to their third straight road win, and third straight game coming back from 10 or more down as the Senior from Richardson, TX, and future NBA-draft pick, finished the game with 19 points on 9-of-18 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds and two assists.
The Cougars were hot from 3-point range as Robinson, Johnson & George, shot a combined 12-of-19 (63%) from beyond the arc. BYU specifically shot lights out from 3-point range the second half hitting eight threes, four of those coming from Robinson.
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Johnson & Robinsons both finished in double figures combining for 35 points, which was nearly half of BYU’s points on the night.
Although this was a missed opportunity for the Cougars, they still moved up 76th in Ken Pom net rankings.
BYU now turns its attention to Pepperdine, who has lost five straight games, and currently sits last in the West Coast Conference standings. The Cougars will take on the Waves Saturday January 14th.
Tip is scheduled for 7pm MST. who has lost five straight games, and currently sits last in the West Coast Conference standings. The game will be broadcast on BYUtv with Greg Wrebell and Mark Durant on BYU Sports Network on BYU Radio.
Post Game Interview:
