In BYU’s first game at home in a month, the Cougars dialed up a strong second half in running away from Portland 95-67 at the Marriott Center on Thursday night.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Domination in the paint
BYU (12-3, 3-1 West Coast Conference) owned the paint against Portland (6-8, 0-5 WCC), led by a strong overall night from Matt Haarms. The Cougar big man had a game-high 23 points — he shot 9 for 9 from the field — and added six rebounds, three blocked shots and a steal, as BYU had 42 points in the paint to 22 for Portland.
Richard Harward added 12 points and six rebounds for BYU, which outrebounded the Pilots 44-27. Guard Alex Barcello led the Cougars with a career-high eight rebounds.
Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) scores against Portland Pilots forward Hunter Seymour (23) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) reacts during the game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) and Matt Haarms (3) make jokes from the bench as their teammates play against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) gets ready to shoot over Portland Pilots forward Mikey Henn (24) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) scores past Portland Pilots forward Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Kolby Lee (40) keeps the ball from Portland Pilots forward Mikey Henn (24) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Portland Pilots forward Hunter Seymour (23) tries to block Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) drives past Portland Pilots forward Hayden Curtiss (15) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars coach Mark Pope celebrates after beating Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) guards Portland Pilots guard Quincy Ferebee (4) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) smiles after scoring two of his 23 points in the game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) scores two of his 23 points in the game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) drives past Portland Pilots forward Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Gideon George (5) drives past Portland Pilots forward Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) drives past Portland Pilots guard Ahmed Ali (2) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) goes down to the floor on a loose ball that was recovered by Portland Pilots forward Eddie Davis (13) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Second-half surge
The Pilots kept the game close for a half — they trailed by six at the break — and stuck around in the opening minutes of the second half before the Cougars pulled away with an impressive shooting exhibition.
At one point in the second half, BYU made 14 of 15 shots and made 21 of 32 shots (65.6%) in the final 20 minutes — the Cougars shot 57.1% for the game. BYU outscored Portland 58-36 in the second half.
The Cougars also hit 9 of 17 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes — and 14 of 33 overall — as seven BYU players hit 3s, led by three each from Trevin Knell and Connor Harding.
A big assist
A big driving force behind the Cougars’ offensive showcase was the team’s ability to share the ball. BYU had 28 assists on 36 made field goals, including 17 in the second half.
Two Cougars finished with six assists — Barcello, who also scored 10 points, and Caleb Lohner, who added nine points and six rebounds.