BYU basketball played its annual game in Salt Lake City at the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz, where the Cougars defeated the Wyoming Cowboys, 68-49.
Trevin Knell and the Cougars came out firing. Knell led BYU with 15 points on 6 of 7 shooting from the field. Knell has shot the lights out over his last three games for BYU and is shooting 20 of 26 from the field and 11 of 16 from 3 in December.
Early in the game, Richie Saunders collided with a Wyoming Cowboy player going for a loose ball and left with a lip laceration. He did not return.
“They just told me lacerated lip and he will continue to be evaluated,” said BYU coach Kevin Young.
As has been the case all season for BYU, the next guy up has had to step in and play quality minutes. Against Wyoming, Mawot Mag had his best game in a Cougar uniform. He shot 3 of 4 from 3. Because of his lack of shooting ability and injury, Mag has struggled to find consistent minutes this season, but against the Cowboys, he made them pay for leaving him open. On the defensive end, Mag excelled. His effort and instincts helped BYU hold Wyoming to its lowest point total of the season. He finished the game with a steal and a block.
“His one-on-one defense speaks for itself; he’s a guy you can put on certain guys,” said Young. “We brought him here as a defensive specialist and he had a good matchup tonight and his effort led the way.”
Mag’s defense did not just lead the way — it changed how his entire team played.
“I think how it changed our defense, I think it makes our team play harder,” said Young.
The Cougars turned the Cowboys over early in the first half and had a decisive 12-2 advantage in points of turnovers to extend their lead to double digits. Up 27-13, BYU was in complete control until the last couple of minutes in the first period. Wyoming forced some BYU turnovers and cut their deficit to nine, down 34-25 at halftime.
In the second half, BYU continued to roll. Dawson Baker led the Cougars with 11 second-half points. When Baker scores, it comes in bunches. He is impressive to watch because most of his offense is self-created playing out of the pick and roll. It is a unique skill on this BYU roster, which it will need during Big 12 play.
Dawson's so smooth
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) December 15, 2024
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“I think that’s something that’s just natural for me as a playmaker,” said Baker. “It’s something I like doing, something that’s part of my game, so I think we’ve kind of figured that out in practice with the coaches.”
Now, one-third of the way through the season, BYU has learned a little bit about itself; there still is a lot left to be discovered. Things are coming together right; the defense is improving, and BYU finished another game, shooting over 50% from the field.
“We gotta keep learning about ourselves, and we’re one game away from Big 12 play, so got to do it in short order,” said Young. “I think we’re getting closer.”
