By the Darnell Dickson – |

Coming into Thursday’s night video game against BYU, the fresh Santa Clara Broncos got never claimed a west Shore Fulfilling games on the Marriott Center (0-9).

Almost any miracle the brand new arena had over Santa Clara is actually never for the facts since individuals romped so you’re able to a less complicated-than-it-looks 81-74 profit facing an alleged crowd out-of thirteen,321 generally upset and you may bewildered fans.

Initially, the last get carry out imply another hard-fought, single-thumb loss into the Cougars. However, immediately after dropping behind by ten facts midway from the first 50 % of BYU trailed because of the as much as 20 and not generated any tall run to get back in to the video game.

It was one of several terrible shows of the year having the latest Cougars, just like the non-aggressive given that these are generally at home around Draw Pope, who had been looking his 50th victory the Marriott Center.

“Our defensive area of the ball keeps sort of quit you immediately,” Pope acknowledge. “It (Santa Clara) hurt us inside the changeover early. All of our changeover defensive energy while focusing was shopping for.”

Rudi Williams led BYU that have 20 issues and you may Fousseyni Traore signed a double-twice which have thirteen products and you will ten rebounds. The new Cougars sample merely 40% (twenty eight from 69) on the career and you can try an unhappy 5 from 23 (22%) regarding 3-section line while also lost 7 off 21 free leaves. Spencer Johnson added 11 situations and Gideon George got 10.

Brandin Podziemski led Santa Clara (8-5 WCC, 20-8 total) which have 26 situations and you can extra several rebounds. Keshawn Justice are truly the only other Bronco in twice data having 19.

The initial 1 / 2 of looked similar to a game ranging from a team which had acquired three consecutively (Santa Clara) and you will a team who’s destroyed their last a couple of (BYU). The new Cougar protection had matchup issues and you will did not return to your multiple circumstances. Into the offending prevent, BYU overlooked loads of unlock photos and you may checked shameful during the their own fitness center.

“We were a subway destroy within our transition defense, which is most disappointing,” Pope said. “It’s been a big focus these types of last couple of month. Certainly, I am creating a very poor jobs away from translating one on video game. It was difficult to watch, tough to indulge in and difficult for all of us to break-down.”

Podziemski scored 12 circumstances very early, providing any type of photos he wanted to let their team in order to a good 22-a dozen lead lower than nine minutes for the game. An effective step 3-tip by Carlos Stewart pressed new men and women to an excellent 30-16 advantage which have 8:59 going.

BYU managed to slim the shortage so you’re able to six, 32-twenty-six, for the an excellent Traore basket and two totally free sets out-of Atiki Friend Atiki with cuatro:02 leftover on half of. New Broncos got manage that have a great fifteen-4 finish to get rid of the first 50 % of, rating the final 9 activities to have a dominating 47-29 direct in the crack.

Podziemski obtained 14 items to head Santa Clara (8-5 WCC, 20-8 overall) so you’re able to 54% (19 regarding thirty five) on job. The Broncos scored 14 circumstances from only six Cougar turnovers and you may led when you look at the quick crack products ten-2.

George added BYU which have half a dozen affairs (towards 3 away from 8 regarding the job) and Williams scored half dozen circumstances off of the table. New Cougars was basically a dismal 39% (fourteen regarding thirty-six) from the profession and you can missed all eight 3-guidance they attempted.

Fairness banged from inside the good step three-tip to open the following half of and you may Santa Clara added from the 20, 50-30. BYU was able to skinny the shortage in order to ten facts, 64-54, that have 8:52 to tackle with the a beneficial step three-pointer of the Williams. Nevertheless the possessions that observed outlined the online game on the Cougars: Two turnovers, a missed discover step 3-pointer, and step one out-of 3 in the free-throw range. As opposed to reducing greater throughout the the fresh Broncos lead and getting exactly what had been a sluggish crowd towards the game, BYU fumbled away people possible opportunity to make a true manage during the the latest Broncos. A later part of the step three-tip of the Trey Stewart, whom offered certain spark off the bench and you will shared nine items, accounted for the fresh closer-than-it-really-are latest margin out of 7 situations.

Scouting Statement

BYU (6-8, 16-13) keeps an emotional game towards the Friday during the Zero. 17 Saint Mary’s, the spot where the Cougars provides acquired only when inside the 10 seeks once the signing up for the latest WCC.

The Gaels kept away from a stubborn North park cluster 62-59 into Thursday to maneuver in order to 12-1 in category gamble and you may 23-cuatro total.

Saint Mary’s edged BYU 57-56 during the Provo for the Jan. 28 with the a past-2nd sample because of the freshman Aiden Mahaney. A few weeks afterwards, talking about several organizations headed within the extremely contrary recommendations: The newest Gaels features won fourteen of its prior fifteen online game and you can usually very likely end up being the Zero. step 1 seeds regarding WCC Tournament. The brand new Cougars have finally shed six of their early in the day 7 tournaments and therefore are attacking to keep from the beginning cycles WCC competition gamble since the Zero. 7-10 seed.

“I’ve got so much rely on contained in this classification,” Pope told you. “I’ve the expectation you to definitely we shall go lower around to the hardest location within group now in a position for the problem out of fulfilling the aggressive height and also to keep increasing. We should render an excellent, compassionate, heartfelt results facing a team one wants to grab that from you.”

Men’s University Basketball

The phrase: Saint Mary’s prospects the overall show 17-sixteen. … BYU has never won during the Moraga given that 2014. … The brand new Gaels enjoys obtained fourteen of its earlier in the day fifteen games. … The last Cougar winnings about show was a student in 2020, an 81-79 winnings during the Marriott Cardiovascular system. … Saint Mary’s defeated BYU 57-56 into the Provo on The month of january. twenty-eight.