BYU vs. Northern Arizona: Game Notes & Quotes

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Player Notes
  • Brock Zylstra hit three 3-pointers in the first six minutes of play. Zylstra was 6 of 8 shooting and 3 of 4 from behind the arc in the first half for 15 points. Zylstra finished the game with 23 points and knocked down a career-high five treys.
  • Noah Hartsock scored in double figures again with 11 points, making him the only Cougar to do so in every game so far this season. He also recorded 4 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals.
  • Nate Austin scored a career-high 11 points on 5 of 6 shooting including knocking down his first career 3-pointer all in 9 minutes of play.
  • Anson Winder dished out a career-high 9 assists to go along with 3 points, 3 steals, 2 blocks and 2 rebounds.
 
Team Notes
  • Head coach Dave Rose went with the starting lineup of Anson Winder, Brock Zylstra, Charles Abouo, Noah Hartsock and Brandon Davies for the third-straight game.
  • The Cougars hit 10 3-pointers after going just 1 of 10 in the last game.
  • BYU assisted on 25 of 34 field goals for the game.
  • Four players scored in double figures with Zylstra (23), Davies (14), Hartsock (11) and Austin (11).
 
Record Watch
  • Brock Zylstra set career highs in points (23), made shots (8), shot attempts (10) and 3 pointers made (5).
  • Anson Winder set a career-high with 9 assists.
 
Game Trends
  • BYU opened 0 for 5 shooting but countered with a 15-0 run to take a 15-4 lead with 11:54 left in the first half.
  • Abouo hit back to back shots, including one 3 pointer to stretch BYU’s lead to 34-19 with 4:48 left in the first half.
  • The Cougars closed the first half with a 10-0 run to take a 44-21 lead into the break.
  • BYU made its first 3 shots of the second half to lead 50-21 with 18:08 on the clock.
  • Davies put the ball on the floor and took it up for the one handed dunk with 11:27 to play and gave BYU a 62-33 lead.
  • Zylstra knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers, his fourth and fifth treys of the game to push BYU’s lead to 74-43 with 7:11 left in the game.

 

Head coach Dave Rose

"I was really pleased with not only the energy but the focus defensively. The scouting report before hand was different than any other team we faced. To think and then at the same time and execute defensively is important. We did a nice job contesting shots. We weren’t as crisp offensively; we missed a lot of shots early. I really liked how we became focused and intense and were thinking really well."

"We got a lot more comfortable as the game went on. We forced them to miss a lot of shots. The key is to rebound and get out and run. They only got 8 offensive rebounds so we did a nice job turning those rebounds into points."

On the ability to bounce back after a loss:
"We have some new players but the core of this team knows how important it is to bounce back. We bounced back well and now we need to carry it over into another game on Saturday."

"A lot of it goes to our seniors. These guys understand the expectation. I think (losing) is one thing that doesn’t sit very well. Monday’s practice was really physical. The most important thing is when you get beat you don’t lose your confidence. Confidence by the players is key in this game."

On Nate Austin’s play:
"Nate Austin hitting some shots tonight gives him lot of confidence. Hopefully we can continue to use him. I really like the presence he brings to the floor; he just needs to have a little more confidence in himself."

On Brock Zylstra's play:
"I am really happy for Brock. He has been through a tough couple of months. He is playing more comfortable on that wing. We need him to hit shots like he did tonight. He really got us going after we started out missing some shots. He is a very capable player."