BYU basketball: Reserves play big role in Y. win
Tuesday's home game against Western Oregon, a team BYU routed by a school-record 62 points two years ago, was supposed to be an opportunity for coach Dave Rose to get his reserves some experience.
"We need to expand the depth of our team," Rose said.
What he didn't expect, however, was that he'd need those reserves to play a significant role in securing the 85-64 win.
"I would have preferred a more inspired and consistent effort, but all in all the players played to a level where we can be successful if we get a consistent effort," Rose said.
All 12 Cougars saw action, with nine of them scoring. The 34 bench points were a high for BYU this season, and 22 of those came in the first half. Even though the Cougars were led by junior forward Jonathan Tavernari's 22 points, with Jimmer Fredette adding 13 and Lee Cummard chipping in 12, reserves Lamont Morgan Jr. and Archie Rose both had career-high scoring games. Morgan tossed in 12 and Morgan 11. Freshman forward Noah Hartsock, playing a season-high 17 minutes, added seven points, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal.
The Cougars and Marriott Center fans seemed shell-shocked early when Western Oregon stormed out an 11-0 lead. The Wolves drilled their first five shots while BYU missed its first nine shots.
"It's always fun to shut the crowd up early, so that was neat. Unfortunately, it didn't last very long," Western Oregon coach Craig Stanger said.
And it wasn't just one Wolfe that was hurting the Cougars. Even though guard Travis Kuhn drilled two early 3-pointers, hit four for the game and scored a team-high 15 for the Wolves, four Western Oregon got on the board in the game-opening spurt.
"When you get six, seven, eight shots in a row that miss, it's hard to find the energy to keep guarding at a consistent level," Rose said.
The Cougars' first point came at the 15:23 mark when Tavernari hit one free throw. But eventually, the Cougars did notch up the intensity and slowly closed the margin. The momentum really turned when Morgan, Rose and Hartsock entered the game. "I think the guys who came off the bench gave us a great lift," coach Rose said.
Still, it's hard to ignore the effort that Tavernari contributed to the comeback. When the Cougars went on a 9-0 run to make it an 11-9 game, Tavernari scored six straight points.
Recent comments
re: UNLV Grad,
How was scamwow's comment false advertising?
BYU...
John Lambert | Jan. 8, 2009 at 5:34 p.m.
Why all the hate? BYU and Utah both need to do well so the MWC can...
Zelph, the Sport Guru | Jan. 8, 2009 at 5:19 p.m.
false advertising; more than likely scamwow is still working on that...
re: UNLV Grad | Jan. 8, 2009 at 2:46 p.m.
- Daytime soaps on their deathbed 4:41 p.m.
- Tune in to these safety tips 4:41 p.m.
- Let others shine in classroom 4:41 p.m.
- 'Wedding Singer' campy fun 4:41 p.m.
- Fastest speedskaters take to ice 4:41 p.m.
- Physical pain isn't always the enemy 4:41 p.m.
- 'Next Ohno' aims for Olympic dream 4:41 p.m.
- Outdoor notes 4:41 p.m.
- Ex-commish stripped of certification 4:38 p.m.
- Pikus-Pace back on Olympic track 4:34 p.m.
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers
- Cougars use depth to beat ASU
- Max Hall wants to look ahead
- Non-BCS schools not given fair shot
- Panel passes BCS playoff bill
- Snow brings big chill
- Doctor calls Mitchell 'naive,' 'inept'
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- Small plane crashes near Lehi
- Jazz go up against 'the best'
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
291 - Letters: Global warming a lie
226 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
177 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
145 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
133 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
121 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
100 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
99
Kealia Ohai recently earned some national recognition ...
A few thoughts from Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer, looking forward...
Isn't Utah State a program that should be able to flex its muscle enough...
Boo to the Republican party and their arrogance they showed while intruding...
So close, and yet so far away. When are we going to start prevailing in some...
"This is so much like Germany in 1939." You are correct there and B.O. is...
"she is such an example for all of us." You say what? Where have you been...
Quote "I've been to Alaska and you see many ships with Cyrillic lettering in...
To Mike 10:47, The RLDS no longer believes the Book of Mormon is inspired,...
"We ask the public not to slow down and look because that will just cause a...
Oh, I get it... You can hate what Max Hall said and/or hate all of BYU for...
After one week? Just stop there. BIg toe sprain lingers sometimes years could...
Funny how you criticize "Aristotle" for his lack of literacy, and then you...



