Led by Knell, BYU cruises to a 95-67 victory over Fresno State

PROVO, Utah — Trevin Knell recorded his first career double-double on Wednesday evening in BYU's 95-67 victory over Fresno State at the Marriott Center in Provo.

“I thought defensively we were really good," said head coach Kevin Young. "Fresno State made some threes, but we talked a lot about threes that were okay giving up. Some of the ones they hit, we were okay giving up. I thought the compactness of our defense was where we wanted it tonight. That was a major point of emphasis coming into the game.”

Knell was one of six Cougars to score in double figures, something that has only happened four times since the beginning of the 2021-22 season. The senior finished with 22 points going 4-of-6 from 3-point range while pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds, four of those coming on the offensive glass. 

As a team, BYU shot over 50.0 percent from the field for a fifth time this season going 38-of-69 from the field including 14-of-34 from beyond the arc. The Cougars turned 12 offensive rebounds in 13 second chance points. 

Tonight’s victory marks BYU’s 19th consecutive non-conference home game win, dating back two years to December 2022.

First Half
BYU began the game by trading shots with Fresno State, its first points coming off a layup, 3-pointer and dunk. Richie Saunders sank the Cougars’ second 3-pointer of the night, giving them a narrow 10-8 lead.

The Bulldogs tied the game 10-10 going into the first media timeout, but Knell, Saunders and Dawson Baker each scored a layup and regained the lead for BYU. FSU’s two-straight 3-pointers aided their one-point lead at the second media timeout.

The Cougars locked in their defense following the timeout and shut out the Bulldogs for over four minutes, resulting in an 11-0 run, with points from Knell, Fousseyni Traore and Kanon Catchings. BYU went into the third media timeout with its second-largest lead of the game at 32-23.

In the last five minutes of the half, the Cougars outscored the Bulldogs 10-4, with Dallin Hall adding his first points to the board. Saunders and Knell sealed the half with a 3-pointer and a second-chance jumper, and BYU left the court with a 44-27 lead.

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In the first half, the Cougars shot 56.3 percent from the field and tallied 22 rebounds, nine assists, one block and one steal. Knell led the team in points and assists, with ten and six, respectively. Saunders scored eight points 

 

Second Half
BYU opened the second half with two 3-pointers from Catchings and Knell. FSU rallied and made four 3-pointers in the first five minutes but Keba Keita and Saunders held the Bulldogs at bay with two layups and a dunk. 

Knell contributed another 3-pointer, along with a layup off a defensive rebound from Traore. With the Cougars up 63-41, Fresno called its first timeout of the game. BYU followed suit after a FSU dunk and free throw.

Baker brought the heat with a layup and 3-pointer, and Saunders drained another three to put the Cougars up 73-46. Following an 11-0 run by the Bulldogs, Hall made his second and third 3-pointers of the night, maintaining BYU’s lead of 20 or more points.

Assisted by Catchings, Keita recorded an alley-oop dunk. In the final minutes of the half, the Cougars scored 10 straight points from Knell, Keita and Hall, securing their win 95-67.

Catchings, Keita, Hall and Baker reached double-digits in the second half. BYU recorded an additional 22 rebounds and nine assists and shot 56-percent from the field.

Up next, the Cougars will face Wyoming at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Watch the game on ESPN+ or tune in for live play-by-play on BYU Radio.