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.
- Sen. moderates frustrate other Dems 10:57 a.m.
- Yellowstone grizzly deaths down 10:52 a.m.
- Atheist groups flourish on campuses 10:37 a.m.
- Griffin edges Ortiz in split decision 10:26 a.m.
- China mine disaster recounted 10:02 a.m.
- VMI faces sexism accusations 9:56 a.m.
- Mubarak warns Israel over Jerusalem 9:39 a.m.
- 65 leaders set for climate summit 9:36 a.m.
- Nevada grabs rushing records 9:34 a.m.
- RSL will play for MLS Cup tonight 3:06 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
194 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
158 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - BYU records with win
111 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
Real Salt Lake fans have watched first hand the evolution of Jason Kreis...
I was teaching school at Juab High in Nephi. We had a TV in my classroom as...
BYU GOOGLE utah -5
I don't know why you're so upset. WE already ran out of oil years ago....
I was at the game and yes there were some questionable calls. But the way...
Talk about going extreme! Pulling a ponytail is like a really hard pull on...
My high school team ran a similar play in the 80s. Penalized for deception?...
I'm a huge Ute fan, but BYU has such a good offense and such a good defense I...
ESPN Go RSL
This team has been singularly difficult to watch all season - until...
Ample? Depends on your definition of ample. However there is not an...


