Johnson Steals Pepperdine Pass, Helps Seal WCC Semifinal Win For BYU

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – BYU guard Spencer Johnson stole a Pepperdine pass on potential game-tying possession to help send the Cougars into the West Coast Conference final with an overtime victory over the Waves.

The No. 2 Cougars and No. 3 Waves played in the WCC semifinal game at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, March 8.

Final Minute of Overtime

With 18 seconds remaining in overtime and BYU owning a two-point lead, Johnson jumped into front of a pass by Pepperdine’s Sedrick Altman. After tipping the ball, Johnson hooked the ball back to BYU’s Connor Harding.

Harding pass the rock ahead to Alex Barcello, who was fouled by the Waves.

Defense wins games! @BYUbasketball coming up big in OT.@UCU_LA #WCChoops Tournament pic.twitter.com/Ow4unjEvn0

— WCC Basketball (@WCChoops) March 9, 2021

Barcello went to the free throw and extended BYU’s lead to 80-76.

After one made free throw by the Waves, Pepperdine fouled Barcello again.

Spencer Johnson WHAT A PLAY

— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) March 9, 2021

The senior guard buried two more shots at the charity stripe to put the Cougars up five points.

BYU Beats Pepperdine

Pepperdine missed a three-pointer in the final seconds and BYU won the overtime contest, 82-77.

Johnson finished the contest with six points, two rebounds, and one steal.

Spencer Johnson with the play of the night!

Steal and a save.#BYU #GoCougs #BYUHoops

📸: @BYUphoto pic.twitter.com/8vXKxt5rX5

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 9, 2021

Barcello led the Cougars with a game-high 23 points.

Clutch bucket by 🆎.#BYU #GoCougs #BYUHoops #WCCHoops https://t.co/ZNUnByZnIA

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 9, 2021

BYU finished the contest shooting 42.6 percent overall and 33.3 percent on three-pointers.

#BYU head coach Mark Pope after the win over Pepperdine: "What an incredible [WCC Tournament] semifinal."#BYUhoops #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/PVMautbW1l

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 9, 2021

Pepperdine shot 40.3 percent from the field, including 18.5 percent on triples.

Kessler Edwards led the Waves with 20 points.

Pepperdine star Colbey Ross had 16 points on 7-24 field goals.

With the win, the Cougars improved to 20-5 on the season and 11-3 in WCC games.

#BYU pulls it off! Cougars are headed to the WCC Championship Game.#BYUHoops #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/BTLKTJLxSN

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 9, 2021

Up Next

BYU’s next game will be in the WCC Tournament final against the No. 1 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Cougars and Bulldogs will tip-off at Orleans Arena on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. (MDT).

The game will broadcast on ESPN and KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM.

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