BYU Basketball Holds Off Weber State To Win Their Final Non Conference Matchup
Dec 23, 2020, 7:43 PM | Updated: 8:11 pm
Coach Mark Pope and the BYU Bench (Courtesy of BYU Photo)
(Courtesy of BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – The BYU Cougars held off a late push from the Weber State Wildcats to win their final non-conference game of the season 87-79.
Caleb Lohner pulled down an offense rebound with 30 seconds left followed by a put back lay-up that sealed the win.
The Cougars struggled to make three point shots in the second half going 2 for 11.
However, they outscored the Wildcats 50-32 in the paint behind strong performances from Matt Haarms, Richard Harward, and Caleb Lohner.
Those three combined for 37 points and 18 rebounds.
— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) December 24, 2020
Weber State made 10 long distance buckets to stay within striking range, but they were never able to narrow the gap to single possession down the stretch.
Zahir Porter and Seikou Sisoho Jawara scored 16 a piece of the Wildcats.
It was back and forth through the first 10 minutes with Weber State holding a narrow 16-15 lead, but the Cougars finished the half on a 26-16 run led by Alex Barcello with seven points to lead BYU.
At the half, the Cougars led 41-32.
It's 41-32 at the half for the Cougs.
Balanced BYU scoring:
Barcello – 7
Lohner – 6
Knell – 6
Lee – 6
Harding – 5
Averette – 4
Haarms – 4
Harward – 3#BYUHoops— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) December 24, 2020
Weber State outscored BYU 47-46 in the second half but it wasn’t enough to overcome that halftime deficit.
Matt Haarms had a big second half scoring 11 of his 15 points after the break. He made all three of his free throws on a night where the Cougars only shot 62% from the free throw line.
🆙🆙🆙 pic.twitter.com/gOx4Kc8L6n
— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) December 24, 2020
BYU finished with five scorers in double figures, led by Haarms with 15.
Lohner and Harward finished with 11 points each off the bench.
The Cougar bench outscored the Wildcats 32-13. They’ve been massive in wins over Utah, San Diego State, and now Weber State.
That wraps up the non-conference portion of the schedule. BYU went 9-2 with losses to USC and Boise State. Up next the Cougars travel to California to play the Pepperdine Waves on New Year’s Eve.
You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter here.
Notes:
Alex Barcello makes first three point attempt
Lohner put back to give BYU lead 11-10 leads BYU in rebounding
8-0 run late first half to create separation
8-0 when leading at the half
