BYU basketball: Michael Loyd Jr. gives Cougars a huge lift

OKLAHOMA CITY — Growing up, Michael Loyd Jr. always wanted to play basketball for the Florida Gators.

In BYU's 99-92 double-overtime win over Florida on Thursday that snapped an eight-game NCAA losing streak, the Gators probably wished Loyd were wearing their blue and orange. The Cougars, on the other hand, were thanking their lucky stars that the Las Vegas native picked BYU blue three years ago.

"Mike Loyd played as good as anyone in the country today as far as making key plays," BYU senior center Chris Miles said of Loyd's 26 points and four steals off the bench.

It wasn't necessarily Florida's basketball program that had Loyd, who never was offered a spot on the Gators' roster, looking their way. It was Florida's sunshine, beaches and lifestyle that attracted him.

"I just thought it would be a fun place to live. That was just always one of my dreams," Loyd said.

On Thursday, he lived out another of his dreams — winning an NCAA Tournament game and having a big part in the victory.

"We knew from the beginning of the season that we had a special group of guys," Loyd said. "We knew we could do this, and we went ahead and did it."

However, it probably wouldn't have happened without the spark provided by Loyd. With the Cougars trailing by seven points late in the first half and the Gators on a streak of scoring on seven straight possessions, Loyd went off for a 10-0 personal run that totally changed the complexion of the game. First he drilled a 3-pointer from the right wing. Then he tossed in a tough floater down the middle. Then he swished in a 3-pointer from the left wing — a shot that put BYU up 29-28. Following a steal by Loyd on the other end, he finished off the play with a driving layup to push BYU's lead to three.

"If someone else is locked up, I just try to make the right play at the right time," Loyd said.

When BYU found itself down by four in the first overtime, and the game seemed to be in Florida's favor, Loyd provided the big lift once again. He hit two free throws, stole the ball on the other end and then hit two more free throws to tie the game. After Florida regained the lead with 56 seconds left, Loyd raced in for another basket to tie the game 81-81.

But the 3-point shot he hit to open the second overtime was the basket that finally put BYU over the hump and turned the momentum back the Cougars' way for good. He added three free throws later for a little icing on the cake.