Missed Free Throws Among Observations From BYU’s Loss Against San Francisco

PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team lost their third consecutive WCC game falling to San Francisco 73-59.

San Francisco had five players score in double figures.

Here are my observations.

1. BYU offensive slumps

Alex Barcello led the team in scoring for the sixth time in the last seven games with 25 points.

Everyone should appreciate how consistent he’s been this season. It’s remarkable what he’s able to do offensively knowing that every team is trying to shut him down.

AB 1st half stat line:

14 points | 5-9 FG’s | 2-4 3FG

Everyone else:

11 points | 4-16 FG’s | 0-3 3FG

Somebody needs to step up and provide a scoring punch for #BYU in the second half if they have any chance of coming back from 15 down. @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) February 4, 2022

Barcello is not getting enough help from the supporting cast, which is why BYU has lost three games in a row.

That hasn’t happened since December of 2018.

Trevin Knell hasn’t scored in double figures in nine games and it’s been 12 games since Spencer Johnson scored in double figures.

Both of those players are capable of shooting the lights out, but for whatever reason, they are in a slump.

Quite simply, there is not enough scoring on this team right now to beat good teams.

2. Career highs for Atiki Ally Atiki

Fousseyni Traore has been great this season for Mark Pope, but against the Dons, Atiki Ally Atiki was the star freshman.

He scored a career high 10 points to go along with career high four blocks.

Fourth block for Atiki Ally Atiki tonight. He's been a menace around the rim. #BYUhoops #GoCougs

— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) February 4, 2022

His awareness on the low block is impressive for a player with little experience playing basketball.

During the second half surge, Atiki held the ball patiently on the block while waiting for Gideon George to cut to the basket.

A beautiful bounce pass from Atiki resulted in a lay-up for George.

I haven’t seen many freshman centers make a play like that.

3. BYU basketball free throw problems

Down by as many as 21 points early in the second half, BYU was able to cut the lead to single digits, but the lead was too big to overcome.

Perhaps the outcome would have been different if the Cougars didn’t miss 13 free throws.

BYU shot 48 percent from the charity stripe. Shaquille O’Neal had a higher percentage from the free throw line in his long NBA career.

Critical free throws have been missed this season when BYU reaches the bonus.

It’s hard for the Cougars to score in the half-court right now, which makes it more important for them to get the easy points.

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.