BYU scores 54 second-half points in 87-53 win over Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. — BYU women’s basketball used a 54-point second half to improve to 9-1 for the fourth time in program history with an 87-53 win over the Portland Pilots at the Chiles Center on Saturday.

“Nothing is better in college basketball than winning on the road,” head coach Lee Cummard said. "Winning away from home is really hard, and I am really proud of our team's resilience after a tough first half to respond with a 54-point second half. We still have a lot to clean up, but tonight was a big step in the right direction for our team."

Marya Hudgins and Brinley Cannon combined for 39 points, including six combined makes from three, to lead the Cougars. Hudgins notched her third 20-point game in her last six outings with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, going 3-for-7 from deep. The redshirt junior also added four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Cannon turned in a career-high 19 points on 6-of-12 from the field, 3-for-5 from three with eight boards, three assists and a game-high four steals.

Olivia Hamlin was the third Cougar to finish in double-figures with Sydney Benally, Hattie Ogden and Gunlock each contributing eight points. Ogden recorded three season highs with four rebounds, four steals in 18 minutes.

BYU's 54 second-half points are the seventh-most points ever scored by a Cougar team in the second half. The Cougars' 29 points in the third quarter rank eighth all-time for points in a single period. 

The Cougars forced 24 Portland turnovers and scored 30 points off Pilot giveaways. BYU outrebounded Portland 47-32, including 19 to nine on the offensive glass. The visitors from Provo scored 11 second-chance points, 16 points in transition and 22 bench points in the 34-point victory.

First Quarter

The Cougars opened the game with a 5-0 run in the first minute of the contest, with Hudgins connecting on a reload triple on BYU’s first possession. Cannon intercepted a Pilot pass and dished to Hamlin for a score off the glass. After a Cannon three pushed the lead to 8-2, Portland scored four-straight points to cut the BYU lead to two at 8-6.

The Cougars pushed the lead to six at 18-12 before the Pilots knotted the game at 19 with a 7-1 run. With seven seconds left in the opening quarter, Hudgins took a full-court pass, drove to the basket and was fouled on a driving layup before connecting on both offerings from the charity stripe to give BYU a 21-19 lead after one.

Second Quarter

The Cougars opened the scoring with an Ogden left-wing three to take a 24-19 lead with 8:46 left in the half. BYU was then held without a bucket for 6:12 during which time the Cougars went 0-for-9 from the floor until Hudgins snapped the skid with an up-and-under off the glass.

During the scoring drought, the Pilots took a four-point lead with 2:58 left in the half courtesy of an 11-2 run. BYU finished the quarter on a five-point run on an Ogden triple and two freebies from Cannon.

Third Quarter

The Cougars again struck first in the third quarter with a paint-touch spray triple from Cannon, followed by a 2-for-2 trip to the line and layup by Rohkohl. With 6:53 left in the third, Hamlin picked off a Portland pass and went coast-to-coast for the deuce. It was rinse and repeat on the next Cougar possession as Cannon scored to make it a 44-32 advantage.

BYU continued its offensive onslaught as Hudgins scored through contact and completed the old-fashioned three-point play at the line. Two free throws for Benally capped a 13-0 run to open the third with the Cougars leading by 17 at 49-32.

After Portland scored four-consecutive points to cut the lead to 13, the Cougars finished the frame on an 11-6 run with back-to-back triples from Braeden Gunlock, a Cannon layup and three makes at the charity stripe. BYU outscored the Pilots 29-10 in the third, the second-largest margin in the third quarter this season.

Fourth Quarter

The Cougars continued their efficient shooting as they connected on their first seven field goal attempts in the fourth to open a 30-point advantage with 5:20 to play. Hamlin started the barrage with a layup before Hudgins connected on her second three of the game.

It was like déjà vu as Benally picked the pocket of Portland’s guard and kicked ahead to Hamlin for a transition bucket. Hamlin then dished to Hudgins, who knocked down her third triple of the evening, followed by a layup of her own to push the lead to 28. Benally added a score off the window to cap a 14-2 run.

After a Portland score, Ogden, Cannon, Kambree Barber and Gunlock rattled off nine consecutive points to push the lead to a game-high 37 with 2:22 to play. Portland cut the final deficit to 34 as BYU moved to 9-1 with an 87-53 victory.

Up Next

The Cougars next take the floor for a Thursday evening matchup as the Idaho State Bengals visit the Marriott Center on Dec. 11.