By Marc Owen
The BYU men”s basketball team is off to its best start in 11 years after a victory Monday night Nov. 25.
The Cougars defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies 66-57 in the University of Virgin Islands Paradise Jam championship game to improve their record to 3-0.
The most crucial play in the game came with under two minutes remaining in the game.
BYU was clinging to a one-point lead and looked to increase the lead on a jump shot by senior guard Travis Hansen. The shot went wide, but was rebounded and put back in by sophomore forward Jared Jensen.
Jensen was fouled and converted on the free throw to put the Cougars up 61-57.
The Cougars, who had to avoid the constant full-court defensive pressure, trailed for most of the first half.
St. Bonaventure built their first-half lead on turnovers and quick scores.
Head coach Steve Cleveland said BYU”s early turnovers hurt the Cougars” game plan.
The Cougars trailed at halftime 34-28.
However, a different Cougar team came out of the locker room in the second half.
Cleveland said the Cougars needed to be more aggressive to be able to win the game.
“The first four minutes of the second half were the most important,” Cleveland said. “We had to come out more aggressive.”
The Cougars were able to start the second half on a 9-0 run to lead 37-34.
The Bonnies and BYU played the game close for the rest of the way until Jensen made his crucial lay-up. BYU was able to secure the victory with free throws down the stretch.
Jensen said the victory shows how the Cougars are going to approach games away from home.
“We know it”s business time when we go on the road,” Jensen said.
Cleveland said it was important to get the season off on the right foot.
“It”s good to win a championship at any tournament,” Cleveland said.
The game in St. Thomas was the third game in four nights for the Cougars. In recent years, the Cougars have struggled to maintain a consistent effort away from home.
Hansen helped the Cougars to victory with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Hansen and junior forward Mark Bigelow were named to the all-tournament team.
The Cougars return home to face Rice at 7 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 30.
