Postgame notes: Santa Clara 83, BYU 76

The following notes and quotes are from BYU’s 83-76 setback to Santa Clara on Thursday evening at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara, Calif. 

Series Results: BYU leads 32-8 including a 11-6 record on the road.

Attendance: 2,455

TEAM NOTES

Down But Not Out

After trailing for 19:03 of the first half of the game, BYU opened the second half on a 7-0 run giving them their first lead of the game meaning the Cougars have held a lead in all 22 games. 

Turnover Trouble

The Cougars turned the ball over 19 times resulting in 24 points for the Broncos, the most they have allowed this season. 

Battle on the Boards

In a game that featured two of the Top 20 rebounding teams in the nation, both teams pulled down 33 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass.

PLAYERS NOTES

Taking the Lid Off the Basket

Jaxson Robinson scored the first points of the Cougars for the second time this season and first since the Cougars win over Missouri State. 

Robinson also made a 3-pointer for a 10th consecutive game with his make from behind the arc at the 16:02 mark in the second half. 

Spence the Shooter

Spencer Johnson scored in double figures for the fourth consecutive game, something he hasn’t done since his freshman season at Salt Lake Community College. The American Fork native also connected on a career-high four 3-pointers. 

CAREER HIGHS

• 3-point field goals: Spencer Johnson (4)
• Offensive Rebounds: Rudi Williams (3)
• Assists: Gideon George (4)
• Steals: Dallin Hall (3)

SEASON HIGHS

• Blocks: Spencer Johnson (1)

QUOTES

Coach Mark Pope

How did Santa Clara’s physicality effect the game?

“We had 15 in the first half. It was just a response to physicality. There are so many lessons we have to learn with this group and physicality is one of them. That challenge presents itself again on Saturday. We did a poor job of preparing the team for that. I thought the guys responded well as the game went on but its hard when you dig yourself into a hole.”

Similar challenge again on Saturday with San Francisco

“They have explosive guards and are super big inside. It is exactly the same team as Santa Clara. We will see the same things when we play Saint Mary’s. This is a learning season. We have to learn how to deal with the physicality and find a way to guard some of these explosive players. 

How tough is it to come back from a loss on Thursday and get ready for another game on Saturday?

“It’s our job, it’s what we do. I would like to win all of the games but if you lose a game the only way to have any impact on it is to play better the next day. I don’t think any of us would choose that but it is what we have right now so the only thing we can do is respond and get better. It’s frustrating but is what we signed up for. We have to ring the bell and answer it.”