SAN FRANCISCO — Rudi Williams scored a season-high 28 points as BYU fell to San Francisco 82-74 at War Memorial Gym on Saturday night.

BOX SCORE

NOTES & QUOTES

With his performance, Williams became the third player in program history to score 25 or more off the bench three times in the same season joining Kari Liimo and Matt Carlin. The senior made a season-high 10 shots while going 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Gideon George, Fouseyni Traore and Jaxson Robinson all reached double figures for the Cougars. 

While BYU shot 51 percent from the field to USF’s 46 percent, it was a 41 percent performance from beyond the arc that favored the Dons. Despite just four second-half turnovers, USF’s 12 made 3-pointers, combined with 24 makes on 27 free throw attempts were too much for BYU to overcome. The Cougars totaled 15 turnovers on the night. USF made the most of those with 25 points the other way.

The Cougars trailed 37-28 at the half after 20 minutes in which they turned the ball over 11 times and saw San Francisco score 18 resultant points. BYU started the second half looking to right the ship with scores from Fousseyni Traore and Jaxson Robinson on consecutive possessions.

Gideon George then knocked down a corner 3-pointer, trimming USF’s lead to six at 42-36. The Dons were unphased and answered with a 15-6 run to effectively put the game out of reach with just under 14 minutes to play.

Williams led BYU with 21 second-half points as the Cougars grappled to get back in the game late. In the waning minutes of the matchup, BYU’s press defense produced USF turnovers and the Cougars rallied to within six at 80-74 before the Dons nailed the game shut with two free throws.

After a Thursday off, BYU hosts Saint Mary’s at the Marriott Center on Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. MST. Watch the Cougars face the Gaels on ESPN2 or listen live on BYU Radio Sirius XM 143, BYURadio.org/BYU Radio app or KSL 102.7 FM/1160 AM. 

SAN FRANCISCO – BYU makes its final trip to War Memorial Gym as a member of the West Coast Conference on Saturday, January 21, when the Cougars face off against San Francisco. Tip is scheduled for 5 p.m. PST.

Saturday’s contest will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Greg Wrubell and Mark Durrant will also be on the call on the BYU Sports Network on BYU Radio Sirius XM 143 and KSL 102.7/1160 AM.

BYU Notes (14-8, 4-3 WCC)

• BYU was unable to overcome 15 first half turnovers as they suffered its third loss in WCC play on Thursday to Santa Clara, 83-76.
• The Cougars are 5-0 this season and 22-4 under fourth year head coach Mark Pope with only day in between games.
• Spencer Johnson made a career-high four 3-pointers on Thursday evening en route to 17 points. The junior guard is now shooting 50.0 percent from 3-point range this season.

Head Coach – Mark Pope

• Alma Mater: Kentucky, 1996
• Division I Career Record: 159-90 (8th Season)
• Record at BYU:  82-34 (4th Season)

San Francisco Notes (13-9, 2-5 WCC)

• San Francisco ended a two-game losing streak on Thursday with a 78-57 victory over Pacific at War Memorial Gym.
• Zane Meeks led the Dons in scoring for a third time this season on Thursday evening as he finished with 17 points, going 6-of-11 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
• The Dons leading scorer, Tyrell Roberts, has scored in double figures in all 22 games he has started for the Dons this season. The Washington State transfer is scoring 14.9 points per game, shooting 45.4 percent from the field, 41.0 percent from three and 81.0 percent from the charity stripe.

Head Coach – Chris Gerlufsen

• Alma Mater: Randolph Macon
• Division I Career Record: 21-14 (2nd Season)
• Record at San Francisco: 13-9 (1st Season)

Series Information

• Series Record: BYU lead 23-11
• Last Meeting: San Francisco won 75-63, 3/5/22
• H/A/N: 11-3/9-6/3-2

Broadcast Information

• TV: CBS Sports Network
• TV Talent: Carter Blackburn, Pete Gillen
• Streamed Audio: BYU Radio Sirius XM 143, KSL 102.7/1160 AM, BYURadio.org, BYU Radio app
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell, Mark Durrant
• Live stats: BYUCougars.com