BYU ended its regular season on a high note, beating Saint Mary’s 65-51 on Senior Night at the Marriott Center on Saturday.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
The Cougars and Gaels both struggled with their shooting in the first half, but the Cougars (19-5, 9-3 West Coast Conference) were scorching in the second half, shooting 66.7%. That allowed BYU to outshoot Saint Mary’s 42.6% to 33.3% for the game. After the Gaels (13-8, 4-6 WCC) trimmed the BYU lead to 34-30 with 16:02 to play, the Cougars scored 14 of the game’s next 16 points to take control.
Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) celebrates during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) hugs his teammates and coaches at the one-minute remaining mark during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) hugs his teammates and coaches at the one-minute remaining mark during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) moves with the ball during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Matt Haarms (3) hugs his teammates at the one-minute remaining mark during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Matt Haarms (3) shoots the ball during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Brandon Averette (4) shoots a layup during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Matt Haarms (3) shoots the ball during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) and guard Connor Harding (44) go for the ball during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) tries to pass the ball during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars huddle during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) shoots the ball against Saint Mary’s forward Matthias Tass (11) during a game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
Annie Barker, Deseret News
BYU had a 43-33 rebounding edge, which led to an 8-0 advantage in second-chance points. The Cougars’ bench also outscored the Gaels’ 22-5.
Trevin Knell had a team-high 15 points, including four 3-pointers, while the Cougars’ three seniors all had solid games. Matt Haarms finished with a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) and added five blocks, Brandon Averette had 11 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal, while Alex Barcello put up eight points, five rebounds and a team-high five assists.