BYU Basketball Cruises To Victory Against NAIA Central Methodist

PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball defeated Central Methodist on Saturday night 97-61. The Cougars had six players scoring in double digits in the game. Caleb Lohner led BYU with 19 points and added seven rebounds. Alex Barcello continues his strong start on shooting, scoring 16 points and shooting 4-7 from deep. The Cougar bench played well, adding 36 points in the game.

Lights Out Shooting gives BYU the lead in the first half

Caleb Lohner started early for BYU with two quick buckets. One came from an offensive rebound, the other from an assist from Gideon George. George added seven points in the half and led the team in the rebounds in the first half with six.

BYU shot well on three in the first half. The Cougars were 7-13 at halftime, entering the game shooting just 30% of the season from deep. #BYUhoops

– Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) November 21, 2021

BYU shot the ball well from the back of the first half. As a team, the Cougars were 7-13 good for 54%. The team hadn’t kicked the ball well for three to start the season, shooting a total of 30% in their first three games. Despite the disappointing shot from depth, BYU still started 3-0. With a powerful three-point shot to accompany a smothering defense, this could be a special team in Provo.

Alex Barcello led the Cougars in the first half with 16 points. He scored four three-pointers in the first half, including one on a superb assist from fellow senior Te’Jon Lucas. The duo continue to develop field chemistry leading BYU’s offensive attack. Lucas led the Cougars in assists in the first half with four.

Half. pic.twitter.com/vpPNNgV6Gh

– BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) November 21, 2021

BYU led Central Methodist at halftime 46-29.

Defense seals victory in the second half

BYU’s stifling defense helped the Cougars seal the victory in the second half. Central Methodist shot just 11-23 in the half and 1-6 of three as BYU constantly contested shots and disturbed the Eagles shooters.

Gavin Baxter had a big night, coming out of halftime with six points early in the game. Baxter totaled 13 points for the game and five rebounds. The Cougars couldn’t keep up their pace at depth in the second half, but shot a respectable 4-11 on three in the half.

Mark Pope faced Caleb Lohner at five for about eight minutes in the second half. Lohner had 10 points during that streak. Another line-up available to Pope. #BYUhoops

– Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) November 21, 2021

With a 30-point lead, head coach Mark Pope has started playing with new rosters for the Cougars. Caleb Lohner moved up to fifth position for about eight minutes. In those minutes, Lohner dominated, scoring 10 points and adding two assists during the race. Perhaps Coach Pope unlocked another tactical advantage with Lohner’s ability to play a “little ball cross”.

#BYU goes to 4-0 for the first time in the Mark Pope era.@BYUMBB – 97@CMUHOOPS – 61#BYUHoops #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/78GqmnSPap

– KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 21, 2021

That was never in doubt as BYU closed the stretch to beat Central Methodist. The Cougars won comfortably by a score of 97-61.

BYU’s next opponent

BYU is staying at home to face Texas Southern next Wednesday. The game will take place at the Marriott Center with a kick-off at 7 p.m. MDT. You can listen to the game on KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM.

Dallen Graff is a KSL Sports contributor. He is the producer of Cougar Sports Saturday (SUBSCRIBE) on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Twitter.