In BYU’s first home game in a month, the Cougars scored a strong second half as they flew Portland 95-67 at the Marriott Center on Thursday night.
Here are three lessons from the game:
Domination in painting
BYU (12-3, 3-1 West Coast Conference) dominated Portland (6-8, 0-5 WCC), led by a strong overall night from Matt Haarms. The Cougar big shot had the best game score – 23 points – he hit 9 out of 9 on the field – and added six rebounds, three blocks and a steal, as BYU had 42 points against 22 for Portland.
Richard Harward added 12 points and six rebounds for BYU, which overtook the Drivers by 44-27. Guard Alex Barcello led the Cougars with eight rebounds, the best of his career.
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Brigham Young Cougars striker Matt Haarms (3) scores against Portland Pilots striker Hunter Seymour (23) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) reacts during the game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars owner Alex Barcello (13) and Matt Haarms (3) joke about the bank while their teammates play Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Richard Harward (42) of Brigham Young Cougars prepares to shoot Portland Pilots striker Mikey Henn (24) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) beat Portland Pilots striker Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars striker Kolby Lee (40) takes the ball from Portland Pilots striker Mikey Henn (24) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Portland Pilots striker Hunter Seymour (23) attempts to block Brigham Young Cougars’ Richard Harward (42) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars striker Caleb Lohner (33) overtook Portland Pilots striker Hayden Curtiss (15) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars coach Mark Pope celebrates after beating Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars, Matt Haarms (3), guards the Portland Pilots, who guard Quincy Ferebee (4) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars striker Matt Haarms (3) smiles after scoring two of his 23 points in the game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars striker Matt Haarms (3) scored two of his 23 points in the game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) overtook Portland Pilots striker Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars striker Gideon George (5) passes the Portland Pilots, striker Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Guard Trevin Knell (21) of Brigham Young Cougars passes guard Ahmed Ali (2) of the Portland Pilots at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars centerman Richard Harward (42) falls to the ground in a lost ball that was recovered by Portland Pilots striker Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Second half wave
The Riders kept the game going for half a time – lost six at halftime – and resisted in the first minutes of the second half, before the Cougars left with an impressive display of shots.
At one point in the second half, BYU hit 14 of 15 shots and 21 of 32 shots (65.6%) in the final 20 minutes – the Cougars shot 57.1% in the game. BYU beat Portland 58-36 in the second half.
The Cougars also scored 9 out of 17 points out of 3 in the final 20 minutes – and 14 out of 33 overall – while seven BYU players hit 3s, led by three from Trevin Knell and Connor Harding.
A great help
A major driving force behind the Cougars’ offensive showcase was the team’s ability to share the ball. BYU had 28 assists in 36 goals scored, including 17 in the second half.
Two cougars ended with six assists – Barcello, who also scored 10 points, and Caleb Lohner, who added nine points and six rebounds.