Cougars Cruise Past Mavericks in Provo
BYU returned to the Marriott Center on Friday night with a resounding victory over Omaha, routing the Mavericks 108-67 in Provo. The performance pushed the Cougars to 2-0 on the young season while extending an early trend of high-octane offensive output.
After putting up 94 points earlier in the week against Ohio State, the squad managed to cross the century mark against an Omaha defense ranked No. 280 in KenPom. While the Mavericks are far from a historic juggernaut, scoring 108 points remains a notable feat just two games into a college basketball season.
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High-Efficiency Shooting Sets the Pace
The efficiency told the real story. BYU shot 56% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc, generating 1.54 points per possession while dishing out 22 assists against just eight turnovers. Every single starter finished in double figures, powering a collective 83 points from the opening five alone.
Rob Wright III led the scoring column with 19 points. Collin Chandler and Tyler Betsey each added 18, Bruce Branch III contributed 17, and Jaxon Kohler chipped in 11. That quartet of Wright, Chandler, Betsey, and Branch combined to shoot 25 of 35 from the field, good for a blistering 71% clip, while Jake Wahlin added 10 points off the bench on 4-of-5 shooting.
Betsey Sparks Perimeter Surge
Betsey’s early integration has given the Cougars an unexpected perimeter boost. The Syracuse transfer hit six of his eight three-point attempts against Omaha, following up a 4-of-5 night against Ohio State to sit at a 77% success rate from deep.
Reserves Deliver Depth and Defense
Reserves also provided crucial minutes, accounting for 25 points and 12 of the team’s 22 total assists. Wahlin stuffed the stat sheet with two blocks and a steal, Brooks Bahr handed out five assists alongside three rebounds, and backup big man Petar Ostojic capped the night by hitting a late three-pointer.
Non-Conference Schedule Continues
BYU travels to face its next opponent as the non-conference schedule rolls forward through November.
