BYU Responded From Loss By Opening With 24-2 Run Against Portland

PROVO, Utah – Upset with how Thursday night transpired against Saint Mary’s, BYU came out angry against the Portland Pilots.

BYU started Saturday night’s game against the Pilots on a 24-2 run and sending a message that they wouldn’t let one loss against the Gaels turn into two.

Whoa. That's a statement start. Pair of threes from Haws and Toolson then a beautiful dime from Jake to Nixon on the fast break. #BYU jumps out to a 10-0 lead.#BYUhoops #KSLsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 12, 2020

The 22-point difference was one of BYU’s best starts to open a game. The Cougars had six different players score in that 24-2 run that spanned six minutes and six seconds of game action.

What was impressive about the start is that Portland came into the game as one of the top shooting teams in the West Coast Conference and the sixth-best three-point shooting squad in the country. BYU, who’s one of the better shooting teams in the WCC as well missed only two field-goal attempts in the run.

Cougs still Cruisin'!!

BYU on top 24-4.#BYUhoops #MACU3 pic.twitter.com/BHM4HtZQkZ

— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) January 12, 2020

BYU maintained the pace and sizable lead throughout the first half with a 51-30 lead over the Pilots. In the first half, BYU shot 64 percent from three in the first 20 minutes of the game.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.