BYU Shoots Lights Out In Win Over Weber State
Dec 18, 2021, 8:00 PM | Updated: 11:36 pm
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
OGDEN, Utah — BYU traveled to Ogden and earned an in-state road win against Weber State, 89-71. Once again the Cougars were lights out from three, shooting 16-25 from deep to secure the win. The team was led by senior guard Alex Barcello who had 23 points and five threes in the victory at the Dee Events Center.
The bench came up big for BYU in the win. Seneca Knight and Spencer Johnson each scored in double-digits off the bench, 14 points and 13 points respectively. The team had 36 bench points to just 17 from Weber State. The Wildcats were led by Dillon Jones who had 20 points and 11 rebounds in the game.
Mark Pope’s team continues to show resilience in the face of adversity. After a disappoint loss a week ago, the Cougars right the ship against Weber State. BYU has yet to lose back-to-back games under head coach Mark Pope.
Great Three-Point Shooting Continues In First Half
The Cougars started the game with a new combination in the starting lineup. Freshman big man Atiki Ally Atiki got the start at the five as Gideon George moved to the bench. Caleb Lohner, who had started the previous few games at five, remained in the starting lineup at the four.
BYU entered the game needing to continue their hot three-point shooting. In their previous two contests, the Cougars made 10+ threes in each game. They started off hot and continued to shoot well from deep throughout the half. As a team BYU shot 9-15 from three in the first half.
BYU starting hot from three to start this game. Made 10+ threes in back-to-back games entering tonight. 4-6 from deep just eight minutes into the game. #BYUhoops
— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) December 19, 2021
The Cougars were led in scoring by Seneca Knight off the bench. Knight had 12 points on 5-8 shooting. Trevin Knell had nine points on 3-5 shooting from three. BYU had 17 bench points in the first half compared to just nine for Weber State. BYU, despite missing Richard Harward and Gavin Baxter, controlled the boards in the half. The Cougars outrebounded the Wildcats 21-13, led by Lohner with five rebounds.
Halftime in Ogden
BYU 41
Weber State 33#GoCougs #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/5OJsmfLBOM— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 19, 2021
Weber State kept it close in the half, despite shooting just 4-13 from deep in the half. The Cougars had 10 first half turnovers that helped keep the game close. BYU led Weber State at the half, 41-33.
BYU Cruises In Second Half
Weber State came out hot in the second half, erasing the BYU lead within minutes. Less than three minutes into the half, the Wildcats had tied it at 44. The Cougars roared back thanks to their senior guard Alex Barcello. Barcello was 3-3 from deep to start the second half. BYU went on a 15-5 run and never looked back. They never trailed in the second half.
Alex Barcello, who had a slow first half, has started the second half 3-3 from deep and is up to 14 points in the game. This guy gets hot so quick. #BYUhoops #GoCougs
— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) December 19, 2021
Alex Barcello scored 18 points in the half to lead the team. The All-American candidate showed why he’s a special player for BYU, shooting 4-5 from deep. Spencer Johnson added 13 points off the bench in the second half. All of his points in the game came in the half. It was an all-around performance for the Cougars, who got contributions throughout the roster. BYU pulled away in the half and earned an 89-71 win over Weber State.
Finished the game on 🔝 pic.twitter.com/ahkoj8yeIQ
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) December 19, 2021
BYU’s Next Opponent
Next week, BYU heads to Hawai’i for the Diamond Head Classic. They’ll face the South Florida Bulls (4-5) at 7:30 p.m. (MDT) at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, HI. You can listen to the game on KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM.
Dallen Graff is a KSL Sports Contributor. He is the Producer of Cougar Sports Saturday (SUBSCRIBE) on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Twitter.