BYU vs. Saint Mary's Postgame Notes

BYU vs. Saint Mary's Game Recap

BYU vs. Saint Mary's Box Score

BYU vs. Saint Mary's Photo Gallery

Player Notes

Eric Mika scored 18 points, extending his streak to 30 games scoring in double figures – every game this year and the last of his freshman season. He also blocked a shot, giving him at least one block in all but four games this season.

Yoeli Childs scored 13 points to give him double figures in his third-straight game and 11th overall. He added seven rebounds, one steal and one assist. Childs also blocked one shot, giving him a block in all but five games.

TJ Haws scored 11 points, reaching double figures for the ninth-consecutive game and 22nd time this season. Haws added two assists, one steal, one block and one rebound.

Team Notes

Dave Rose started TJ Haws, Nick Emery, Elijah Bryant, Yoeli Childs and Eric Mika. BYU fell to 2-2 when starting that lineup.

BYU trailed 41-30 at the half, dropping to 2-9 this season when behind at halftime.

The Cougars' 57 points were a season low. 

The loss to Saint Mary’s ended a streak of three consecutive wins against the Gaels in the Marriott Center.

The team honored seniors L.J. Rose and Kyle Davis prior to the game. Neither were able to play due to injury. 

BYU head coach Dave Rose

"Obviously it was a very disappointing loss for us. I think our guys were ready to play and we had a plan and I thought we went after their big guys pretty well. We thought that if we could get them in foul trouble in the first half that we could maybe make a run for them. We got to their second and third post guys and we didn't take advantage of the opportunities we had."

"It's a really disciplined defensive team and I thought we got into the seams a couple times with chances to make a play at that basket or for our teammates. It seems like we shot it when we should have passed it and we passed when we should have shot. That got us into a lot of awkward situations that put us on our heels and we were afraid to actually attack and then they took advantage." 

"They were really good in the pick n' roll. I thought we handled the roll pretty well but we just stayed too long and left shooters open. Hermanson hurt us in the first half and their big guy hit some three's in the second half. I think the key to the game was that they were comfortable the entire time in our gym and that's on us. We need to be ahead, we needed to speed up a bit and make them uncomfortable, but the game went pretty much exactly how they wanted it and we couldn't flip it, couldn't get on top." 

"They're really disciplined. It's hard to get them out of position with a ball fake or when you skip a ball. They respond and react really well. They've been together as a group for a while and they do a really good job of contesting shots without fouling. A big part of our offense is to get to the free throw line and score there and at times we did get to the free throw line, which wasn't very often and we had a hard time scoring from there." 

​"I think that when the ball went inside tonight, it looked similar to last Saturday night and it just sticks in there. We get standing, our guards stand and watch and that plays right into their hands. That ball needs to go in, it needs to go out, it needs to go in and back out again. We're a team that plays ahead a lot and we're really uncomfortable playing from behind."

Forward Eric Mika

“[Saint Mary’s] is good. They are really good up there with the best defensive teams we have played. Tonight showed that. They played awesome on defense. They got us out of rhythm and I think we all know they are well coached and a super disciplined team both on offense and tonight they definitely showed it on defense.”

“We need to find a way to play aggressive like we are in some instances but also play smart and execute. It’s hard finding that line in balancing both but that’s the best part of the journey. Once you get there it’s awesome. We are just going to fight to get there and continue to get better.”

Guard TJ Haws

“I’m frustrated. I feel like we are better than we showed tonight. I think this team is going to stick together. We still have a shot at this thing and we still have another shot at those guys. I think now is where our team either breaks or we come together. We have a good challenge ahead of us with Portland and Gonzaga. I think this team is going to come together and get back at it next week.”

“I think it starts on Monday. We get back in the gym and figure out what we did wrong. We watch film and we start fixing things. I think it’s a mentality that the season is not over. We still got a shot at this thing. I think we have tough guys on this team. I think Monday we are going to bounce back. We are disappointed and frustrated, that was a tough one for us. Hopefully we can use that as motivation as we head into next week.” 

Saint Mary's head coach Randy Bennett

"This is a great atmosphere to play at and great fans that attend. It's always tough to win up here. BYU has a good team. We did't turn the ball over and we shot it well and we were able to get some separation, which made it tough on them and we seemed to wear them out after that. We did a good job defensively on their guards. Mika hurt us, but I was pleased with the way we played. Fitzner and Hermanson played well tonight and made the shots we needed." 

"Fitzner played well. We are a little different team with Fitzner out there and the way he spaces the floor. Dane Pineau can play the five, but overall, we just play differently with Fitzner. It's nice to have a Plan A and Plan B, so tonight Landale got in foul trouble, so we had to play the other way and fortunately Fitzner played well."