Player Notes
Elijah Bryant recorded a season-high 29 points, shooting 5-7 from beyond the arc. He brought down nine rebounds, including seven defensively, controlling both ends of the court, while adding four assists, three steals and one block.
Payton Dastrup came off the bench and tied his season-high eight points, including two key 3-pointers in the second half, while adding four rebounds. He shot 75 percent from the field, making the most out of his 10 minutes of play.
Yoeli Childs scored 15 points, giving him double-digits for the 10th game this season. He also grabbed five rebounds and recorded three blocks, giving him three-plus blocks for the fifth time this season.
Team Notes
In the first half, the Cougars shot over 50 percent in all shooting categories: 55.6 percent from the field, 50 percent from beyond the arc and 100 percent from the line. On the defensive end, BYU held Utah to 16.7 percent from the 3-point line.
At the end of the game, BYU shot 51.9 percent from the field, making this game the third-straight shooting 50-plus percent. The Cougars also hit 10 3-pointers, while keeping the Utes to five.
Defensively, BYU held Utah to 65 points, its sixth-straight game holding its opponent to less than 70 points.
Quotes
BYU guard Elijah Bryant
On his big night
"I think it can be anyone’s night every night. I think tonight it was just my night. Guys were finding me and I was hot. When Yoeli when out with the injury, the next guys came in and gave us a big lift. In our system, it can be anyone’s night every night."
On the defense
"I think just accountability and knowing that we can guard. There are going to be games that you’re going to win in only the 50's and 60's. I think this is the fruits of our labor for the summer, of us grinding early in the morning."
On the rivalry
"For me, I’m not from Utah so I don’t think of it as a big rivalry. I just look at it like every other game and stay with a calm mind. For a lot of guys from in-state there is a lot of emotion here, but all the teammates understand that emotion and we just tried to hone that in, and we got a win."
BYU forward Payton Dastrup
On getting playing time and playing well
"It felt great, I’ve always been a team-first guy. Last season it was hard and this season has been difficult at times, but I know that when I get my chance like tonight, that I want to come through and make the most of it so that the coaches can continue to give me a little bit more trust. Ultimately, I just want to do it for my guys. They got my back and I got their back, and we’re all in this together."
The influence of the home court
"We fed off the crowd a lot. Some complications from two years ago and things that have transpired since then have revved up the engine for the students and the players. We give a lot of credit to the ROC. We know when they come they come, they come in abundance. When they come out in full force it’s wonderful to play with and not great to play against. It's a night I'll never forget."
BYU head coach Dave Rose
Thoughts on game
"What a great crowd. I thought it was a great college basketball game. Both teams played well. Those were two good teams. It came down to a few plays here and there. I'm happy for our guys and the fans."
What has caused the defense to improve since last year?
"Of all the springs and summers and falls I've been here, this was as good as it's been as far as their commitment to be a tougher group, especially on the defensive end. Bringing Heath in has been tremendous; that's one of his specialties as far as his career in coaching. I give credit to the guys for being determined and getting it done."
What did Payton Dastrup provide off the bench tonight?
"We spent a lot of time with Payton this week. He's a guy who has given us good minutes this year. We knew he would get out there tonight and his ability to pick and read the defense and hit a couple shots was good."
How did you keep Utah at a distance when they started to cut the lead?
"I think we were a little impatient on the offensive end, but we played a lot of zone in the second half and it got them standing around a little bit. They tried to drive it and our guards did a great job of bugging their guys in the post."
How do you feel now that the in-state games are over?
"The victories make it fun. The preparation is agonizing, but I know our players and fans love it. I'm happy for our guys, that they could get it done. I think it's really good for college basketball that we keep playing this game."
Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak
Thoughts on the game
"We didn’t turn the ball over once, we turned the ball over three times. We came out at halftime and I thought the guys responded and played some defense, got some stops pulled the game to a five-point margin and then had we had three straight turnovers. Coming into an environment like this, against a quality team, it’s just pretty simple, you’ve got to be a lot more dialed in and make more plays. It’s not an easy environment to overcome, but we got too many self-inflicted gunshot wounds with charging into people, putting our head down and trying to do it independently. We don’t have a team that can do it independently we’ve got to do it collectively. We’ve got a ways to go."
On the environment today
"I mean look around. Come on, how could you not. This is what it’s all about. It’s a cool setting. You’ve got to be good to win in a place like this."