Postgame notes: BYU 91, Pepperdine 81

The following notes and quotes are from BYU’s 91-81 win to Pepperdine on Saturday evening at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. 

Series Results: BYU leads 21-10 including 13-2 in Provo. 

Attendance: 14,434

TEAM NOTES

Leading at the Half

BYU improved to 34-0 in regular season games under head coach Mark Pope when leading by 10 or more at halftime.

LIfting Their Weight

The Cougars improved to 11-2 this season when their bench outscores the opponent. Richie Saunders and Atiki Ally Atiki combined for 24 of BYU’s 28 bench points. 

Cougs in Double Digits

Six Cougars ended the night in double-digits for the first time since November 20, 2021 in a win over Central Methodist. Fousseyni Traore had a team-high 19 with Dallin Hall (13), Spencer Johnson (13), Jaxson Robinson (12) and Atiki Ally Atiki (11) all reaching double figures. 

Free Points

BYU went a season-high 25-of-32 from the free throw line, their most attempts and makes from the charity stripe since last season’s win over Liberty at the Diamond Head Classic. 

Riding The Wave

The Cougars 91-81 win against Pepperdine improved Mark Pope’s record against the Waves to 7-1 and was BYU’s fourth straight win against Pepperdine. 
 

PLAYERS NOTES

Fouss on the Loose

Traore finished with 19 points and nine rebounds, one rebound shy of his fifth double-double of the season and 14 of his career. In two games against Pepperdine, the sophomore is averaging 22.0 points and 14.0 rebounds per game. 

Richie Cash Money

Richie Saunders reached double figures for the first time since December and fourth time of his career with 13 off the bench. In 18 minutes of action, the freshman was 5-of-6 from the field, 2-of-2 from three and 1-of-2 from the free throw line. 

Spencer Shooting the Rock

Spencer Johnson scored in double figures for the fourth straight game, finishing with 13 points going 4-of-8 from the field and 3-of-5 from three. He has now hit a trio of triples seven times in his career. 

CAREER HIGHS

• 3-point field goals: Spencer Johnson (3)
• Free throws: Jaxson Robinson(3), Dallin Hall (5), Atiki Ally Atiki (5), Gideon George (6)
• Assists: Gideon George (4)

SEASON HIGHS

• Field Goals: Fousseyni Traore (8)
• Assists: Gideon George (4)
• Blocks: Spencer Johnson (1), Fousseyni Traore (3)

QUOTES

Coach Mark Pope

On his team’s mindset

“Our guys did a good job staying present and not thinking about all of the other stuff that goes into a game,” said head coach Mark Pope. “One of the gifts of great athletes is that they can stay present in the moment and stay engaged with what their job is.”

Tanner Hayhurst

Opening Statement

“This is a great team win tonight. Everyone played really well. Spencer’s (Johnson) out there doing what he does with his go go gadget arms just making plays. Everyone played really well and as a team. We made some shots down the stretch that really allowed the lead to grow and kind of put them away late. I am super proud of the guys.”

Spencer Johnson

On the team learned from the Gonzaga game and how they applied it tonight against Pepperdine

“You always want to learn from every game. Every loss or every win. That’s what great teams do. That’s what great players do is you learn from it and you take it to the next one. Coach talked about how it was a quick turnaround so I am proud of our guys for absorbing all the information and the scout, and then just coming out here and finishing the game the right way.”