The following notes are from BYU's 82-60 win over Utah Valley on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, at the Marriott Center.
ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS: 5-1 BYU
TEAM NOTES
3-0
This is the first 3-0 start to the season for BYU since 2017.
Slow start, big finish to the first half
BYU scored just eight points in the first nine minutes of the game. The Cougars then went on a 30-6 run to end the first half.
3-pointer resiliency
BYU started the game 0-7 from three, then went 11-18 the rest of the game.
Margin of victory
BYU has won its first three games by an average margin of victory of 32.6 points per game.
Five in double figures
For the second game in a row BYU had five players score in double figures. Tonight it was: Alex Barcello (20), Brandon Averette (11), Connor Harding (11), Matt Haarms (10), Trevin Knell (10).
PLAYER NOTES
Alex Barcello
Barcello led the Cougars in scoring for the third consecutive game to start the season. He had 25 points in the season opener on Wednesday against Westminster, 19 against New Orleans on Thursday and 20 tonight. He tied his career-high in rebounds with seven for the second straight game.
Brandon Averette
In a team-high 36 minutes played, Averette had 11 points, aa team-high and career-high six assists, a career-high five rebounds, a career-high two steals and career-high one block.
Matt Haarms
In his first game as a Cougar, Haarms had 10 points, 1 rebound and one block in 12 minutes.
Notable career highs/career firsts
First career points: Haarms (10)
First career rebounds: Haarms (1)
First career steals: Averette (2)
First career blocks: George (3), Haarms (1), Averette (1)
Career-high points: Knell (10), Lohner (6 tied)
Career-high rebounds: Barcello (7)
Career-high assists: Averette (6)
BYU HEAD COACH MARK POPE
On the effort of his team
“I couldn't be more proud of our guys. It's been a terrific three games in four nights. They fought the whole time, and really, really were able to fight through frustration which we talked about a little bit. I couldn’t be happier with where we are. We've got a long way to go. We’ve got to get way better, but we made it through the first little three games set that we knew was going to be a big challenge for us.”
On Mark Madsen and UVU
“What an incredible job Mark Madsen is doing with Utah Valley right now. He's one of the best human beings in the world, and he had a great year last year, and they're going to have a big-time year this year. Just super happy for them. They're going to be a really good team. They were a little short-handed tonight. One of their best players wasn't it with them. Compliments to them. They're doing great. He's going to really blow that place up.”
BYU FORWARD MATT HAARMS
On facing UVU
“We took their coach, and we took their best players, so I understand why they wouldn't like us, and they’re right down the street. We understand why they don't like us — that came out in this game, and it was a fight. They got up early and we battled back, but it was a dog fight. That's every state game, and especially another couple miles down the road, so we knew.”
On defending UVU’s top players
“Our focus was mostly on Fardaws Aimaq and Trey Woodbury. They really stood out to us on our scout — their No. 1 and No. 2 option, or 1-A and 1-B options. Today was Woodbury, but I think any other day it could’ve been Fardaws. I think they have two really talented players. We did a good job at containing one. We didn’t do a good job at containing Woodbury. He had 24.”
BYU GUARD TREVIN KNELL
On helping spark BYU’s end-of-the-first-half run
“Like coach said, it’s an in-state game. We’re going to have frustration. I was super pumped that I got the ball on the wing. I shot the first one. It felt good. Caleb was able to get the offensive rebound, kicked it right out. I didn't hesitate because I know my team trusts me, and I trust the time and work I put in over the summer. Once I made it, like coach said, it was a spark and we started playing more as a team. I felt like to start, their pressure kind of got to us. And once we got that first three down, we kind of settled into our game. Like coach said, we went on that 30-to-6 run. That's something super special, and that’s something this team's going to do a lot this year.”