Player Notes
- Yoeli Childs had 31 points and 11 rebounds, including BYU’s first 12 points. Childs is the first BYU player with 30 or more points in three-consecutive games since Jimmer Fredette had 30 or more in his final five games as a Cougar. It was also Childs’ seventh double-double of the season. His 31 points also tied his season high and he recorded his seventh double-double and 27th of his career, tied with Russell Larson for ninth all-time in BYU history.
- TJ Haws filled up the stat sheet with 18 points on 5 for 10 shooting to go along with six rebounds and four assists. He also tied his career high with two blocks. Haws hit 3 of 4 from 3, his fifth game this season and 29th time in his career with three-plus 3s.
- Zac Seljaas had 14 points, six rebounds and three assists to go along with a career-high five steals.
- Connor Harding recorded five points and five rebounds in his first start as a Cougar.
Team Notes
- The Cougars shot 93 percent (13 of 14) from the free-throw line against Utah, the first time the team shot 90 percent or better in a game since their game against San Diego on Feb. 17. BYU was a perfect 9 for 9 from the free-throw line in the first half, just the second time the Cougars have shoot 100 percent from the line this season.
- BYU now leads the all-time series with Utah 131-128.
- With the 74-59 win against Utah, BYU improves to 18-4 all-time in Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Cougars have won 13-straight in the arena.
Postgame Quotes
Head coach Dave Rose
On improvement from last week to this week
“I think we’ve had two games this week where the guys have been really connected on both ends of the floor for long periods of time. I think the guys have just bought into the purpose of the way we need to play, and that’s probably what is most important.”
On mental discipline of the team
“Last week we were pretty separated defensively. We had guys getting to the rim and we were late on closeouts for 3-point shots, and I think tonight and Wednesday night we were much better with that. We are challenged as far as on-the-ball defense goes, and we always have been. We have to have a scheme to make it work for us, and all five guys have to be involved. I think that they were good today.”
On Zac Seljaas and individual play
“Zac played with a lot of heart. Those three guys: TJ, Yoeli and Zac, they’ve grown up in this state with the rivalry, and I’m really proud of them because they played as well as they have all year in a really big game.“
Yoeli Childs
On team’s improvement this week
“It started in practice this week. We came in and we took a really good look at ourselves. We said, ‘Are we really playing hard? Are we really doing everything we can on the defensive side of the floor?’ And the answer was no. In every practice this week we’ve worked our butts off, we’ve played so hard. That’s shown in the last two games and that’s the team you will continue to see.”
On defensive improvement
“I think the coaches have had a great plan for every team we’ve played. I think we did a better job executing the game plan and the few things we need to get a stop in the game, and everyone did a good job of executing that.”
On starting with good offensive rhythm
“They weren’t doubling down and my teammates were just feeding me. That’s kind of our recipe: if they’re not doubling throw it in, and if they are I will just kick it out and a guy will have a shot. I’m just really lucky to have teammates that really trust in me and I have all the trust in the world in them.”
TJ Haws
On pulling away in the second half
“I thought we were really patient on offense in the second half. We decided at halftime that we needed to come out with more energy and more passion, and I thought we did that coming out in the second half.”
On Yoeli’s highlight dunk
“I couldn’t help but smile. That thing was wild. I think we’ll be seeing that on “Sports Center” for sure. It’s fun to assist on a dunk like that, and it’s fun to have a great view like that as well. Yoeli does that in practice a lot and I’ve seen it many times, it was fun to get one tonight.”
On perfecting habits as a team
“We had a great week this week. I’m really proud of our guys. Last Saturday we got a sour taste in our mouth, had a rough loss, and we had to make a decision on who we were going to be every day in practice and in our games. Monday I thought we bounced back in practice and we set a tone for the week. I thought we had two great games during the week and I think we’re in a good spot right now.”