BYU returned to the Marriott Center with a resounding victory.
The Cougars beat Omaha 108-67 Friday night in Provo, continuing their early offensive excellence and improving to 2-0 on the young season.
3 takeaways
BYU’s offense was once again exceptional. After scoring 94 points earlier this week against Ohio State, the Cougars reached the century mark against Omaha.
Yes, Omaha isn’t 1992 Duke — the Mavericks are ranked No. 280 in KenPom, after all — but scoring 108 points is impressive against any opponent, especially since the season is only two games long.
BYU shot 56% from the field and 46% from 3, averaging 1.54 points per possession and dishing out 22 assists against eight turnovers.
Six Cougar players scored at least 10 points, including every member of BYU’s starting five, who contributed a total of 83 points on the night.
Additionally, BYU had eight players make at least one 3-point shot, and the Cougars had 31 fast break points and 19 turnover points.
Rob Wright III led the way with 19 points, with Collin Chandler and Tyler Betsey each adding 18, Bruce Branch III added 17 more and Jaxon Kohler added 11.
Wright, Chandler, Betsey and Branch combined to make 25 of 35 field goals (71%), and Jake Wahlin shot 4 of 5 off the bench for 10 points.
Tyler Betsey was almost automatic from deep. The Syracuse transfer arrived in Provo as a heralded shooter, and his early returns have been even better than anyone could have expected.
Betsey hit six triples against Omaha – four in the first half, two in the second – on eight total attempts.
He’s already made 4 of 5 3-pointers against Ohio State on Monday, putting him at a blistering 77% success rate on the young season.
Ultimately, the three won’t fall as often for Betsey, but finishing above 40 percent for the year while getting rebounds and playing solid defense could move the 6-foot-9 stretch forward into next year’s NBA draft conversation.
BYU benefited from encouraging contributions from its bench. As good as the Cougar’s starters were against Omaha, the reserve unit also made a lot of noise.
Twenty-five of BYU’s 109 points came off the bench, along with 12 of 22 assists.
Wahlin led the way with 10 points and two assists, also standing out on the defensive end with two blocks and a steal.
Brooks Bahr continued his strong start to his college career with five assists and three rebounds, and Khadim Mboup and Dean Rueckert combined for six points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
Even Petar Ostojic, a tall 7-foot substitute, scored a 3-pointer later. Each Cougar found a meaningful way to contribute.
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