The following notes are from BYU's 79-59 win over Loyola Marymount on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, at the Marriott Center.
ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS: BYU leads 21-5
TEAM NOTES
First Half
The Cougars started the game strong going up 6-3 in the first four minutes of play with key baskets from Caleb Lohner, Te’Jon Lucas and Fousseyni Traore. BYU’s 6-0 run over the Lions contributed to a three-minute LMU scoring drought, forcing a timeout. The Cougars continued to pull ahead with a 3-pointer by Spencer Johnson from the corner, putting the score at 15-3 seven minutes into the first half. With a dunk by Traore in the last eight minutes of the first half, BYU went up 26-14 on LMU. The Cougars finished the half ahead of the Lions 45-28, shooting 59 percent from the field and 42 from the three-point line. LMU went into the locker room shooting 38 percent from the field and 29 percent from the three.
Second Half
The Cougars had a slow start in the second half, but they picked up momentum after LMU had a three minute scoring drought and Atiki Ally Atiki threw down a dunk. BYU went on a 7-0 run over the Lions to put the game at 64-40 with eight minutes left in regulation. After three back-to-back baskets by Traore, the Cougars gained speed going up 24 points on the Lions making the score 72-48. The Cougars fought hard and ended the night with a 20-point lead over Loyola Marymount, with a final score of 79-59. BYU outrebounded LMU 39-23 and had 19 points off the bench.
Hot Shooting
The Cougars started the game shooting hot with 71 percent from the field, including 10-of-15 from the field and 2 of 5 from the three-point line in the first ten minutes of play. BYU went into the second half shooting 59 percent from the field and 42 percent from the three. The Cougars started the second half shooting a solid 57 percent from the field going 4 of 9 in the first eight minutes. BYU ended the game shooting 54 percent from the field, 37 percent from the 3-point line and 100 percent from the free-throw line, going 6 of 6.
Working the Paint
BYU scored 52 of its 79 points in the paing. The Cougars hit 13-of-16 of their layups and cleaned up the glass with 39 rebounds, 30 defensive and nine offensive, with every Cougar in the game recording two or more rebounds each.
Assists
The Cougars moved the ball around nicely as they tallied 23 assists of the night. Seniors Alex Barcello and Te’Jon Lucas contributed 13 of the 23 with Barcello hitting his season-high of seven.
PLAYER NOTES
Caleb Lohner
- Lohner recorded his second career double-double as the sophomore finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Gideon George
- George reached double figures for the 10th time this season and 17th time of his career with 12 points. He was 5-of-8 from the field including 2-of-4 from 3-point range.
Te’Jon Lucas
- Lucas led the Cougars in scoring for the fifth time this season with 14 points to go along with six assists and two rebounds.
- Traore went 6-of-11 from the field with a total of 12 points.
Alex Barcello
- Barcello had nine points, seven rebounds and a season-high seven assists.
Notable career highs/career firsts
Season-high assists: Alex Barcello (7)
COACH AND PLAYER QUOTES
Mark Pope
On Defense
“I think the guys played really well on the glass tonight, and that is something we have to continue to work on. We have to find a way to dominate the glass because it is really important.”
“I think for 30 minutes tonight, we had real defensive urgency. If we are 100%, all-in on the defensive end, we have a chance to be a terrific, high-level defensive team. For a lot of teams, if they dip to 99%, they are still really good defensively, but we are not. If we dip to 99% we spring leaks everywhere. The best thing about this game tonight was holding LMU to under 60 and to feel like we had 30 minutes of urgency on defense.”
On Alex Barcello
“He was nine, seven and seven tonight, working on a triple-double and that’s just who he is. We are all spoiled to have him and it’s sad the last game he will play in this building is Saturday because he just does what is needed. He had a few passes today that I thought were unbelievable. I was super proud of him tonight and I thought he had a big time game. Most importantly, I thought he was on an elite level on the defensive end. We don’t have a chance unless he is on an elite level.”
On Caleb Lohner
“Caleb’s been on a tear since the first time we played LMU, really putting together great games, his minutes have been off the charts consistently now look at how efficient he was tonight.”
Caleb Lohner
On game tonight
“I’m just really proud of this team, I think the trust we’ve built over the past four or five games has been huge. A few weeks ago I think we all started doubting and lost this trust and the way everybody’s responded, with the fight tonight, I’m just proud of these guys and I’m gonna rock with these guys til we can’t rock anymore.”
“Our defense in the first half was incredible, especially those first 10 minutes. I thought we shared the ball really well, we made cuts, players were taking charges and making steals, overall I will say that I am really proud of these guys.”
On sharing the basketball
“I think it feels right, it feels good and I think we all recognize it’s good basketball. This was how we are supposed to play, this is good offense.”
On mentality for Saturday’s game
“We have to win, and we will go to practice tomorrow and get better so we can figure out the things we need to do to win. Saturday is a huge game for us, it is going to be one of the biggest games of the year. It will be a challenge, but I think everyone is up for it and it will really test us defensively and give us a gage of where we are at going into the WCC tournament.”
On being more assertive
“I'm just doing the things I’m good at, rebounding the ball, physicality adn doing the small things to help this team win. I’m just going to put myself in a spot where I’m just going to do anything to find a way to win.”