Player Notes
Connor Harding set a new career high with three 3-pointers. His 13 points are his fifth double figure game of the season.
Yoeil Childs finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds, his 14th double-double this season and 34th of his career. He is now tied with Alan Taylor for fourth all-time in BYU history for career double-doubles.
Gavin Baxter totaled nine points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He has now recorded a block in eight-straight games and his assists are a career high.
TJ Haws totaled seven assists, his 15th game this season with five-plus assists.
Team Notes
After starting 0 for 5 from 3-point range, BYU hit 8 of its last 18.
The Cougars shot 43.4 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from 3-point range and 60.0 percent from the free-throw line. Pacific recorded 36.4 percent from the field, 30.0 percent from 3-point range and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line.
BYU led 33-30 at the half. The Cougars are now 14-1 when leading at the half.
The Cougars won the turnover battle as they recorded eight giveaways compared to 13 for the Tigers. BYU forced nine Pacific turnovers in the second half.
Postgame Quotes
BYU guard Yoeli Childs
On the game
It was a dog fight. That is the way it always is when we play Pacific. They don’t come in and try to beat you by skill but by physicality. I thought that we were able to keep up with their physicality and I am just proud of the way that everyone fought.
On TJ Haws not having a good offensive game
TJ is a great player and that is what great players are coming to do. He did a great job on the defensive end and making plays. He did a great job of setting guys up, not only for the assist but for a pass. If your shots aren’t falling sometimes guys back away but TJ didn’t do that and that is just who he is.
On if they are peaking in conference play
I feel like we are just going up-and-up. It is a good place to be and at a good time of the year. I don’t think that we are at our peak. There are things that we we need to get better at but we are working on that every day. I think we are going to peak at the right time.
On Connor Harding’s play
It never ceases to amaze me how much of a team player he is. He is always in the gym getting extra shots ups, he is always locked in mentally, whatever the coaching staff asks of him you know he is going to do it. If you tell him that he is coming off the bench, he will give it 100 percent. If you tell him he is starting, he will give it 100 percent. I couldn’t be more proud of him and I am so glad that I get to play with him.
BYU guard Connor Harding
On not getting the start but keeping up his momentum
It is all about competing and when you play against Pacific. When you play against guys like that, just drive to the hoop and people are going to get into foul trouble so opportunities are going to come. I knew that I had to mentally prepare myself.
BYU head coach Dave Rose
On tonight's game
I really thought we were engaged in our execution, as well as our defensive game-plan is concerned. We didn’t have enough urgency or energy to do what we needed to do, but our execution was there. We made them take tough shots and I thought our defensive half-court execution was good for the night. That’s the third night in a row we held the opponent to 60 points or less, and for us, that’s a pretty good formula to win. We had guys come in and give us a lift. Conner Harding came in and gave us a tremendous lift. I thought Zac Seljaas gave us tremendous energy off the bench. McKay Cannon continues to play really well, especially on the defensive end.
On the final run of the game
The challenge was that we can’t just expect them to miss; we have to go make plays on the defensive end. Luke Worthington did a great job jumping on the ball. Nick Emery got his hands on a ball and TJ came in and got the ball from the blindside. They responded well in an important time. We just don’t want these games to come down to a single possession, so it’s important to break it open and get a little separation in the score.
On moving forward
I loved our crowd tonight and I thought they were really involved. Our student section was great as always. Hopefully we’ll have a good couple home games in the next few weeks.