BYU vs. USC Postgame Notes

BYU vs. USC Recap

BYU vs. USC Box Score

PLAYER NOTES

Eric Mika's 29 points led BYU and gave him a new career high. It marked three games in a row with 20-plus points for Mika, and double digits in all eight games this season.

TJ Haws was 6-of-8 from the field in the second half after going 0-6 in the first half. He finished with 16 points.

Haws had a career-high four steals on the game.

Nick Emery and Haws combined for 31 second-half points after going scoreless in the first half.

TEAM NOTES

After shooting 36 percent in the first half with 11 turnovers, the Cougars shot 52 percent in the second half with just five turnovers.

BYU outscored USC 48-42 in the paint, and had a 41-34 rebounding advantage.

QUOTES

BYU coach Dave Rose

"There were matchup issues the whole night. We were having a tough time making shots and we turned the ball over too much."

"We made a little comeback and closed it down to five or six, but never really got into a game that looked like us. It seemed like everything we did tonight was a little passive. There weren't very many minutes in this game where we looked like ourselves. Give them a lot of credit. They played well and have a good team."

"We had some turnovers that were caused by what they were doing, but some of it was just us throwing passes away—unforced errors."

On how to address poor 3-point percentage

"I think confidence is the most important thing. The players need to know that we as a staff trust them. Some of it is that we're taking hurried shots because we're trying to get our shot back. We're not letting the game come to us. I think the biggest explanation is that these are young guys and they're trying to find themselves at this level."

Nick Emery

"I thought we didn't get into a rhythm. That's frustrating for us. We're still a young team and learning how to play together. You have to learn from mistakes. That's what makes the season interesting."

On whether a strong second half from Emery and Haws is a positive takeaway

"You have to look at it that way, and take that to the next game. Again though, it's a loss. We need to get better on defense. When we allow teams to score like that, we get beaten."