BYU vs. Portland State Box Score
BYU vs. Portland State Game Recap
Player Notes
TJ Haws had a career night as he scored 30 points, hitting 5 of 10 from 3-point range. Haws contributed five assists, three rebounds and one steal.
Yoeli Childs now has scored in double-digits in 18-consecutive games. Tonight he tallied 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Childs also recorded a season-high three blocks.
Nick Emery contributed a season-best six assists while scoring five points and grabbing two steals and one rebound.
Connor Harding shot his way to 11 points and recorded a career-best three assists.
Team Notes
The Cougars forced 21 turnovers by the Vikings as they scored a season-high 32 points off turnovers.
BYU held the lead for the entire game and tallied its largest lead at 22 points with less than a minute to play.
Postgame Quotes
BYU guard TJ Haws
On the key to winning tonight
There are a few different things. In the second half, we had a little more energy on defense. But, with a team like that and they press for 40 minutes, it takes us being unselfish. I thought we were tonight and we made the pass so we could knock down some easy shots.
On when Yoeli Childs isn’t at full strength
It’s hard when Yoeli isn’t at full strength. But, I thought that he battled tonight. Ultimately, we shared the ball really well and other guys hit big shots.
On getting a career-high in points
It was a fun night for me. It was good to see the ball go through the hoop. I am feeling really confident right now. Hopefully, we can keep this thing going.
On the mood of the team after winning three in a row
After Weber State, we really had to look at ourselves and decide who we are. I thought we bounced back really well. I think energy and passion has been our main focus in every game.
We feel if we have great energy on both ends of the floor then good things are going to happen. I feel like in the last three games we have had great energy and hopefully that continues. We have had great energy in practice. If we can keep that energy high at all times, I think we are a pretty good team.
BYU guard Zac Seljaas
On Portland State getting 28 rebounds
Looking at their game, that is what they do. Everyone gets a rebound- offensive rebound, defensive rebound – they are all going for it. We knew it was coming. We just had to be able to box out and try to get the ball. It is hard when it is one guy trying to grab it with four guys on you. We were able to get a few and some that led to baskets on the other end. We knew it was going to happen. It is a part of their team. We were able to get enough that we were able to benefit and to win.
BYU head coach Dave Rose
On tonight's game
I thought that this was an interesting game; it’s quite a unique style that they play. Our number one goal as a coaching staff was to play the game without turning the ball over. We played a little bit of different lineups and I think that made us a little less comfortable on the offensive end. Although, I thought we handled the press well, and I thought we got good shots. I thought we had good balance on the offensive end. We didn’t shoot the ball extremely well, especially early in the game. Then we started driving the ball. Sometimes when you’re driving it and you should be shooting it, you don’t get the same opportunities and results that you’d like. But with a different group of guys in there and lineups, I thought that we had good balance. The downside is, obviously, real challenging lineups to rebound. They came in and just dominated the offensive boards. It seemed like we had a lot of balls that we actually had in our control and they knocked it away. They did a great job. They’re really active. Besides that, I thought the stats were pretty good. I’m happy for the win.
On Yoeli Childs being sick
Yeah, Yo’s got an illness. He’s just not as physically strong as usual. He wants to play and that’s the issue. He’s a competitive guy, and we tried to play him a few minutes less so that maybe he can save some energy for Saturday. We’ll see. Hopefully he’s better and can go, but only time will tell.
On TJ’s scoring performance
I’ll tell you what was really good was that he actually made some three-pointers. You take him off the chart here, and what are we, two for 16 or something like that. We knew that’s what was available. When we broke the front end of the press we knew we’d end up with really wide, uncontested three-point shots. We missed our first six or seven. They were all good shots and we should shoot them all, we just need to make more.
On the UNLV Game
I think we’ll have a good crowd of Cougar fans there. There’s a new arena. Since it opened a couple of years ago, I’ve always tried to figure out how we could get a game in there. I’m happy it’s a return game too. I think we’ll get them back up here next year in Salt Lake. They’ve played a lot of home games. From their stats, they look like they’re kind of a bigger, stronger athletic version of this team here.