Postgame notes: BYU 82, Portland 71

The following notes and quotes are from BYU’s 82-71 win over Portland in the second round of the 2023 University Credit Union West Coast Conference tournament on Friday evening at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. 

Series Results: BYU leads 27-2 including 2-0 record at neutral site. 

TEAM NOTES

Comeback Cougs

BYU improved to 2-11 under head coach Mark Pope when trailing by 10 or more at halftime, both of those wins coming this season. The Cougars outscored the Pilots 52-28 in the second half. 

Getting The Party Started

BYU won the tip for the 19th time this season, with Fousseyni Traore opening the scoring for the Cougars for a team-high 13 times this season. 

Comeback Cougs

The Cougars scored 52 points in the second half, marking the first time they have eclipsed that mark in the second half since their setback to Santa Clara on January 19, 2023. 

Dominating The Boards

BYU outrebounded the Pilots by 23, 44-21, with 19 of those coming on the offensive glass. 

PLAYERS NOTES

Richie Rich

Richie Saunders had 12 points in the first half, marking the first time in his young career that he has scored in double figures in the opening 20 minutes. He also made his first 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes, tying a career-high.

Saunders Stats

Saunders also had a career-high five offensive rebounds, one more than he had in the Cougars victory over Nicholls on November 19, 2022. The freshman has also made multiple 3-pointers in three straight games.

Hello, Mr. Robinson

Jaxson Robinson scored all of his 14 points in the second half, the third time he has scored in double figures in the second half this season. It was also the 15th time the sophomore has scored in double figures. 

Action Jaxson

With his seven 3-point attempts on Friday, Jaxson Robinson now has 173 on the season which is the 16th most in a single season in program history. 

Can’t Stop Him

Fousseyni Traore had five offensive rebounds against the Pilots, giving him 180 in his career which is the 14th most all-time in program history.

CAREER HIGHS

• Points: Richie Saunders (18)
• Free Throws: Richie Saunders (5)
• Field Goal Attempts: Richie Saunders (10)
• 3-Point Field Goals: Richie Saunders (3)
• Offensive Rebounds: Richie Saunders (5)