3 takeaways from BYU’s 65-54 win over Pepperdine

Brigham Young Cougars center Richard Harward (42) shoots over Pepperdine Waves forward Jan Zidek (31) and forward Kessler Edwards (15) at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News

BYU staved off Pepperdine’s comeback attempt with an 8-0 run to close the game.

Here are three takeaways from BYU’s win:

• The Cougars led by as much as 16 in the second half, but Pepperdine went on a 12-0 run and closed the gap to three points with just under five minutes to go in the game. BYU was able to tighten things up after the comeback from the Waves, going on a 8-0 to close the game. Alex Barcello, Matt Haarms and Kolby Lee all scored for the Cougars.
• BYU’s defense had a nice showing throughout most of the game on Saturday. The Cougars held the Waves to no points throughout the last 4:50 of the game. BYU limited Pepperdine to 26 points to 21.9% in the first half and 28.8% overall.
• BYU’s leading scorer, Alex Barcello, had an unusually quiet night. Barcello didn’t make a field goal, going 0 for 7 from the field, but did make four key free throws at the end of the game.

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