BYU vs. Alabama A&M Game Recap
Player Notes
TJ Haws had a season-high 10 first half points as he went on to lead the team with 19 points and six assists.
Luke Worthington recorded season-highs of nine points and six rebounds while adding one assist.
Zac Seljaas tallied a season-best 15 points after shooting 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. Seljaas is the 12th fastest Cougar in BYU history to score 100 career 3-pointers (75 games).
Yoeli Childs scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while adding a season-high four assists.
Rylan Bergersen recorded a career-high eight points and added a season-high three rebounds.
Team Notes
In the first half the Cougars shot 50 percent from the field and defensively held the Bulldogs to 25.7 percent, the lowest an opponent has shot against BYU this season and the fewest points scored in the first half (24).
The 46 points scored in the first half by the Cougars was also a season-best.
Postgame Quotes
BYU guard Zach Seljaas
On his 3-pointers
"We were just moving the ball. Our offense was flowing really well today. From a long week, we finally were able to get that flow going and be as a team, so shots were just falling."
On TJ playing well
"It helps everyone. When you have someone being aggressive it sucks in their defense so we can kick it out, get that extra pass and do things as a team. He was able to take his guy and get past him. It helps a lot, even Jahshire Hardnett was doing it and the whole team flows off of that. When someone else is being aggressive and making plays for a teammate, as long as we do that consistently and as a team, we can win a lot of games."
BYU forward Luke Worthington
On what they get out of a game like this
"It becomes more about us, how we are doing and how we are executing. The ball was moving really well today. A lot of guys got more confidence as the game went on. I think we were able to do our job, get the win and move on to the next."
On preparing for the next game
"We take one game at a time. More than anything, coming out of this game we need to play loose offensively. Defensively, we need to be focused, get in our scout film and know what they run. We have a lot of upper classmen and talented freshman who are getting the system, how we play and being in the right spot."
BYU head coach Dave Rose
On tonight's game
"It was good to see our guys in a rhythm offensively. I think it was the best we’ve executed and finished for long periods of time this season. Our effort defensively was really good in the first half. We’ll take a look at the film and move forward. It will be a great week for us next week. We don’t have as many games but they’ll be more challenging. We are going to get some real resistance next week, so we’ll see how we respond. Hopefully we can still play at our pace when we go against more athletic guys."
On Zac Seljaas
"We spaced the floor really well and he got good, open looks. He rushed a few, but they were mostly in rhythm. The passes were all in good places. He shoots that way a lot, and the guys just expect it to go in."
On TJ Haws
"In the last two or three games TJ has gotten to a comfortable pace to play at – the game has slowed down for him. I like the way he is playing. He can see opportunities where he can create for himself and his teammates."
On shot selection
"We executed our plays pretty well and the pace of how we ran things led to shots. When we hurry things we’re just not quite as good."