Partly due to programming interruptions related to COVID-19 involving other teams, it has been two weeks since BYU won a game and it has been 10 days since the cougars played a game.
Many wondered how BYU would fare on the road Thursday night at Spanos Center.
Well, let’s just say that the Cougars did not have to cross the Pacific as they did on January 30 in Provo, in a double overtime victory.
This time, striker Caleb Lohner fell just one rebound before a double-double, setting his career record with 19 points and hitting nine bags, while BYU sprayed the Tigers 80-52.
After dropping 11 points at home against No. 1 Gonzaga on February 8, the Cougars spent their long layoff trying to clean up their shortcomings, which were exposed by the Zags. And they expected more successful exits.
“This is exactly what I imagined. In the past 10 days without playing, we’ve been working hard, ”Lohner told BYU Radio Network. “Many teams in the country are now not training as much. There are all these big gaps in not playing. I think we really enjoyed that time. We just got better. I think tonight appeared on the court of everything – our attack, our defense, hitting the ball, being in the right places, making the game simple. I am very proud of this team tonight. “
Lohner knocked down 6 of 8 pitches from the ground, including 5 of 6 of the 3-point territory.
The 1.88 meter, 90-pound Dallas native started the season losing his first 11 points of 3 points. Thursday, he looked a bit like Jake Toolson or TJ Haws from the 3-point line.
“He is a special young man. In the course of his career, the whole country will get to know him, ”coach Mark Pope told CBS Sports Network about Lohner. “He is obviously spectacular on the court. He is learning, growing and so anxious every day. As a human being off the court, he is actually 10 times more fascinating. I am very proud of him tonight. We hope he will make a leap here at the end of the season and he’s certainly doing it. ”
As a team, the Cougars hit 13 out of 27 points out of 3. Trevin Knell came off the bench to make 4 out of 6 3 points and finished with 15 points. Interestingly, BYU hit 13 out of 27 in the 2-point range and 13 out of 27 in the 3-point territory.
“Trevin was excellent tonight. He came a little earlier in the rotation than usual because of the problem (by Gideon George) and he responded very well, ”said Pope. “I love Trev when he has a weight on his shoulder. That’s when he has the best performance. “
During a stretch in the middle of the second half, Lohner drilled three consecutive points, increasing BYU’s lead from 52-35 to 61-36.
Lohner’s only field goal of the night that was not a 3-point basket came 13 seconds from the end of the first half. He was running across the floor in a counterattack when guard Brandon Averette threw an alley at him that Lohner summarily hit to give the Cougars a 38-24 lead.
“That transition piece was incredible,” said Pope. “His athletics is extraordinary. We see your athletic ability over and over. It came with some incredible offensive rebounds that you just don’t see on any level in college basketball. “
In the previous clash against the Pacific, with the game tied at 64 for each, Lohner missed two free throws with 3.2 seconds to go. Not long after the game ended, he stayed at the Marriott Center, spending considerable time working on his free throws.
It is part of Lohner’s impressive work ethic.
“He works so hard. He is taking countless photos before and after training. He’s in the cinema every day, individually, trying to learn, ”said Pope. “You have to keep putting it inside yourself until it becomes something that is second nature. He had some second nature moments tonight. It was too much. … He gave you a sense of who he can be. He’s very special. “
In the Pacific loss to Loyola Marymount last Saturday, Jeremiah Bailey set the record for his career with 28 points. Against BYU, he was kept goalless in 0 of 6 shots.
“The best thing (Lohner) did tonight was his defensive performance,” said Pope. “We talked about Jeremiah Bailey all last week. He gave a show in the last two games. He’s on fire. Caleb was fundamentally solid on the defensive all night. This is not easy. “
“We were very attentive (to Bailey),” said Lohner. “That was a hot topic getting into practice this week and figuring out ways to stop it because it’s going on. We did a great job as a team. “
With the win, BYU improved to 16-5 overall and 7-3 in the West Coast Conference game. The Pacific fell to 6-7 and 3-6.
Pope said the key to victory was the way Averette and Alex Barcello orchestrated the attack. They agreed to distribute 12 assists and had only two turns. Barcello finished with 15 points, five assists and three steals, while Averette added 10 points and seven assists.
Matt Haarms scored eight points, grabbed seven rebounds and set the tone in the opening minutes.
“Matt Haarms was amazing tonight,” said Pope. “Your minutes were unbelievable. His physicality was off the charts to start the game. “
Most of all, Pope loved to see his team’s energy and aggression after a long period without games.
“I am so proud. What they did in the last 10 days was very difficult, ”he said. “There has been a great deal of emphasis in three main areas where we felt we were falling short – physicality, communication and protection of the ball. The guys stood out in all three areas tonight against a really good team. “
“I am proud of how we responded after that big game break,” said Lohner. “We started and the whole game kept coming to them. There was no pause. I am very proud of how we got out after not playing for a while ”.
BYU visits Loyola Marymount on Saturday.