Williams scores 28 in 82-74 loss at San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — Rudi Williams scored a season-high 28 points as BYU fell to San Francisco 82-74 at War Memorial Gym on Saturday night.

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NOTES & QUOTES

With his performance, Williams became the third player in program history to score 25 or more off the bench three times in the same season joining Kari Liimo and Matt Carlin. The senior made a season-high 10 shots while going 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Gideon George, Fouseyni Traore and Jaxson Robinson all reached double figures for the Cougars. 

While BYU shot 51 percent from the field to USF’s 46 percent, it was a 41 percent performance from beyond the arc that favored the Dons. Despite just four second-half turnovers, USF’s 12 made 3-pointers, combined with 24 makes on 27 free throw attempts were too much for BYU to overcome. The Cougars totaled 15 turnovers on the night. USF made the most of those with 25 points the other way.

The Cougars trailed 37-28 at the half after 20 minutes in which they turned the ball over 11 times and saw San Francisco score 18 resultant points. BYU started the second half looking to right the ship with scores from Fousseyni Traore and Jaxson Robinson on consecutive possessions.

Gideon George then knocked down a corner 3-pointer, trimming USF’s lead to six at 42-36. The Dons were unphased and answered with a 15-6 run to effectively put the game out of reach with just under 14 minutes to play.

Williams led BYU with 21 second-half points as the Cougars grappled to get back in the game late. In the waning minutes of the matchup, BYU’s press defense produced USF turnovers and the Cougars rallied to within six at 80-74 before the Dons nailed the game shut with two free throws.

After a Thursday off, BYU hosts Saint Mary’s at the Marriott Center on Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. MST. Watch the Cougars face the Gaels on ESPN2 or listen live on BYU Radio Sirius XM 143, BYURadio.org/BYU Radio app or KSL 102.7 FM/1160 AM.