Postgame note: No. 17 Saint Mary's 71, BYU 65

The following notes and quotes are from BYU’s 71-65 loss to No. 17 Saint Mary’s on Saturday evening from University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, California.

Series Results: Saint Mary’s lead 19-18

Attendance: 3,500

TEAM NOTES

Owning The Boards

BYU outrebounded a Gaels team that ranked fifth in the nation in rebound margin, 31-30, including 11 offensive boards.

Four Straight In the Loss Column

For just the second time under head coach Mark Pope and first time since last January/February against Pacific, Santa Clara, San Franciso and Gonzaga.

Pick Six

The Cougars trailed by six, 33-27, at halftime for the first time under head coach Mark Pope.

PLAYERS NOTES

Spencer The Starter

Spencer Johnson opened the scoring for the Cougars for the fifth time this season with a corner three on BYU’s second possession of the game. The junior also had 12 first half points, marking the fifth time this season and sixth time during his career has eclipsed double figures in scoring in the opening 20 minutes. 

A Thief In The Night

Johnson now has 33 steals in WCC play this season after adding two more to his total against the Gaels, the eighth-ost in a single conference season in program history.

Block Party

With his block on Aidan Mahaney in the final second of the first half, Fousseyni Traore now has 62 blocks in his two-year career which is tied for the 20th most in program history with Kyle Collinsworth and Alan Pollard.

More Fouss Facts

Traore finished with a team-high 16 points, the sophomore’s career-best eighth straight game in double figures. He has now lead the team in scoring 

Rain In The Forecast

Noah Waterman scored in double figures for the sixth time this season on Saturday, finishing with 11 points including multiple 3-pointers in a game for the first time since BYU’s win over Weber State on December 22, 2022.

How May I Assist You?

Dallin Hall finished with a team-high three assists, giving him 98 on the season which is the eighth-most a freshman in program history.

CAREER HIGHS

• 3-Point Field Goals: Richie Saunders (2)

SEASON HIGHS

• Rebounds: Spencer Johnson (7)