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PROVO — A freshman type of stole the present for BYU on Senior Evening.
Fousseyni Traore recorded a double-double, together with a career-high 25 factors and a career-high 19 rebounds — tying a freshman faculty report for rebounds in a single recreation.
But it was a senior, Alex Barcello, taking part in in his closing common season recreation on the Marriott Middle, who actually signaled a change within the complexion of the competition that resulted in a 75-59 victory over Pepperdine.
For a lot of the primary 28 minutes, the Cougars appeared listless towards the last-place, short-handed Waves, who have been taking part in with out their main scorer Jan Zidek and a few different key contributors.
With 12 minutes remaining, BYU was clinging to a 44-40 benefit.
Then got here Barcello’s cross to Atiki Ally Atiki for a dunk. And on the following possession, Barcello executed a depraved, crossover step-back 3-pointer to elevate the Cougars to a 49-40 benefit, their largest lead of the evening at that time.
And that play despatched a jolt of power into the gang of 15,721.
Proper after that shot went down, Barcello stared down the followers and tapped his wrist, Damian Lillard-style.
It was Barcello’s Time. And BYU’s time.
“I wished to throw it on the market,” Barcello stated. “It was time for us to make a run. I believe the coed part knew that and we fed off of it.”
It turned out to be an unforgettable Senior Evening second, and it was a part of a decisive 18-6 run for the Cougars (21-9, 9-6) that put distance between themselves and Pepperdine (7-24, 1-15).
Traore scored 10 consecutive factors for BYU throughout that key stretch.
“When AB (Barcello) did that, Fouss turned to AB and was like, ‘If you wish to put this away, then get me the ball each single time,’” joked coach Mark Pope.
“I used to be so hyped,” Traore stated.
Barcello defined that borrowing Lillard’s trademark transfer was one thing that wasn’t deliberate. It got here organically.
“It was unimaginable. I didn’t stroll into tonight attempting to find something like that. While you’re actually invested within the recreation and also you lose your self within the staff, moments like that occur,” he stated.
“That’s what coach Pope has preached to me ever since I bought right here. You’ve bought to sacrifice sure issues and the sport rewards you. I didn’t have the best capturing evening (4 of 11 for 10 factors), however I had a second like that and I wished to share it with the followers and present them love as a result of the power they convey, we feed off of that. … It was an unimaginable feeling.”
Additionally a part of that run was senior Te’Jon Lucas’ lovely alley-oop cross to Caleb Lohner for a rim-rocking dunk that bought the gang on its ft once more.
Lucas completed with 15 factors on 6 of 10 capturing, and 4 assists. Gideon George added 11 factors.
However, in some ways, this evening belonged to Traore, the freshman from Mali, who additionally had three assists and two blocks.
“He doesn’t know the way good he's. This faculty is fortunate. The coaches are fortunate to have a man like Fouss who’s so keen to study,” Barcello stated. “He’s bought a lot uncooked expertise. While you put that collectively along with his work ethic … it’s unimaginable.”
“Do you see this monster recreation Fouss had?” Lucas stated. “Twenty-five and 19. That’s absurd for a freshman to get 25 factors, 19 rebounds on 9 of 10 capturing.”
Traore scored 14 of his 25 factors over the ultimate 10 minutes.
“I admire how a lot the coaches imagine in me,” stated Traore, who was sidelined for the sport at Pepperdine two weeks in the past on account of damage. He made up for misplaced time.
Traore additionally paid tribute to the seniors.
“Immediately was a special occasion for our seniors, AB and Te’Jon. We’re going to overlook these guys,” he stated. “They’ve been serving to us, particularly me and Atiki. I’m simply grateful for them. I’m joyful and grateful for the gang. I don’t suppose you will discover that anyplace. I’m actually grateful that I’m right here, to be a part of this program.”
With the sport lastly in hand, there was nonetheless some drama within the closing minute.
With 28.5 seconds remaining, Pope inserted his two different seniors, Richard Harward and Gavin Baxter, into the sport.
Harward hasn’t performed this season on account of a coronary heart situation whereas Baxter suffered a season-ending knee damage on Dec. 1.
They have been on the ground solely briefly, lengthy sufficient for Harward to try a shot and for each of them to be cheered by the gang one final time.
“I simply thought it could be good to allow them to step out onto the ground,” Pope stated. “We did it with Dalton (Nixon) a few years in the past. These guys hadn’t been in a uniform shortly. … I’m tremendous joyful for these guys as a result of they’ve meant a lot for our program. It’s been actually laborious for them this yr however they’re a part of who we're.”
“It was cool to see that occur, given the roller-coaster that they’ve been on,” Barcello stated of Harward and Baxter. “Them attending to step on the ground yet another time with followers, I hope it was particular to them. I believe it was. It was actually particular for me, a man that’s been with them by way of their journey. I’m glad they have been ready to try this.”
Barcello was requested how he wished to be remembered at BYU.
“For my legacy, I simply wish to be often known as a man that gave it his all each time he stepped onto the ground; a man who was keen to do the whole lot that the staff wanted, whether or not it was scoring, rebounding or locking up one in every of their greatest offensive gamers; whether or not that’s speaking to guys on the court docket and main them. No matter I needed to do.”
In different phrases, similar to what he did on the Marriott Middle for Senior Evening.
“I’m all the time going maintain this place in a particular place in my coronary heart,” he stated.
BYU secured the No. 5 seed for subsequent week’s West Coast Convention Event in Las Vegas. The Cougars will play Friday evening at Orleans Enviornment towards the winner of Thursday’s recreation between No. 8 Pacific and No. 9 Loyola Marymount.
As of Saturday evening, Pope and his teaching employees have been nonetheless trying into the potential for scheduling a Quad 1 recreation on the street for Tuesday or Wednesday previous to the WCC Event to reinforce the Cougars’ NCAA Event resume.
TIP-INS: Former BYU star Jimmer Fredette attended Saturday’s recreation along with his daughter, Wesley. … The 4 seniors and their households have been honored in a pregame ceremony. ... After the sport, Barcello stated that he and his fiancee, Zoe Simpson, are getting married in July. … Harward was carrying a bandage on his nostril as a result of he not too long ago had nasal passage surgical procedure, in line with Pope.