Postgame notes: South Dakota 69, BYU 68

The following notes and quotes are from BYU men’s basketball's 69-68 loss Saturday afternoon against South Dakota at the Vivint Arena. 

Series Results: South Dakota leads 1-0.

Attendance: 11,578

TEAM NOTES

Cashin' In From the Charity Stripe

BYU shot a season-best 82.6 percent from the free throw line, going 19-of-23 from the charity stripe. 

Closing the Gap

Down by 15 at halftime, the Cougars rallied to close the gap in the second half, unable to take the lead, finishing within one point of the Coyotes. 

You Shall Not Pass

Trailing by 21 with 10:00 remaining in regulation,, BYU would hold the Coyotes without a basket for the rest of the game as they scored their remaining nine points from the free throw line. 

Cougs in Double Digits

Three Cougars ended the game in double digits: Rudi Williams (20), Fousseyni Traore (12), Dallin Hall (14). 

Foul Play

Two Cougars fouled off in the same game for the first time since February 20, 2021. 

PLAYERS NOTES

Williams Willin’ the Cougars Along

Rudi Williams scored 16 of his season-high 20 points in the second half as he led the Cougars in scoring for the first time this season. It also marked the 9th time in his NCAA Division I career that he reached the 20-point plateau. 

The Double-Double Machine

Fousseyni Traore notched his third double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds, four of those coming off the offensive glass. 

Shine Bright Like a Diamond

Dallin Hall scored 12 of his career-high 14 points in the second half to go along with six assists. He was also a career-best 5-of-8 from the free throw line.

SEASON HIGH

• Points: Rudi Williams (20)
• Free Throws: Rudi Williams (8)
• Steals: Rudi Williams (3)
• Rebounds: Noah Waterman (7)

CAREER HIGHS

• Assists: Dallin Hall (6)
• Points: Dallin Hall (14)
• Free Throws: Dallin Hall (5)

QUOTES

Coach Mark Pope

Opening Statement

"Certainly a disappointing outcome for us, but I’m really proud of our guys for playing hard and competing hard in the second half today. We’re not a very good team right now, not a very tough team, but we are working hard. There’s a learning curve for learning how to compete and win, and right now, we’re in the muck of trying to learn those lessons."

Most difficult part of today’s game

"I think the most concerning thing in that first half was our struggle to guard because that has just not been us this season. It’s not supposed to be the make-up of this team."

Overall message in the locker room post-game

"We have a lot of guys eager to get better, and thinking of things they can improve on individually to help this team compete at a higher level. This is a really special group of young men who are really engaged in the learning and growing process."

On South Dakota

"I will take nothing away from South Dakota today because they did a great job coaching great players, and they’re a good team. They’re players did great today and were much more attuned to the price of this matchup."