Butler’s Manny Bates, left, passes the ball as BYU’s Richie Saunders reaches for it throughout an NCAA faculty basketball sport within the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. Tim Aylen, Bahamas Visible Companies through Related Press
Butler 75, BYU 70
For BYU, the previous couple of days in The Bahamas haven’t felt very similar to paradise.
For the second consecutive night time, the Cougars misplaced a sport in The Battle 4 Atlantis on Paradise Island.
This time, on Thanksgiving night time, BYU fell 75-70 to Butler within the comfort spherical at Imperial Area.
“We’re studying lots about ourselves. We discovered lots about ourselves final night time,” stated coach Mark Pope. “I assumed the fellows made vital enhancements from yesterday in a few of the methods we approached the sport. We nonetheless got here up empty tonight. That’s actually, actually discouraging. However we’ll proceed to get higher. These video games give you a chance to do it.”
Cougar sophomore Fousseyni Traore scored a game-high, and season-high, 21 factors on 8 of 12 capturing from the sector and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds (tying his career-high). He was additionally 5 of 6 from the free throw line.
“I simply must preserve believing in myself and preserve working,” Traore stated of his efficiency.
Nonetheless, paying homage to BYU’s setback Wednesday to USC that noticed Trojan guard Boogie Ellis pour in a career-high 27 factors, Butler’s Jayden Taylor and Eric Hunter Jr. couldn't be stopped. Taylor and Hunter scored 20 and 19 factors, respectively, and so they every knocked down three 3-pointers.
Butler (4-2) outshot BYU 53% to 42% from the ground. The Cougars made simply 3 of 20 3-pointers.
BYU (3-3) outrebounded the Bulldogs 39-27 and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds. The Cougars outscored Butler within the paint 46-34.
Turnovers have been a obvious weak spot for BYU this season. The Cougars dedicated solely 13 in opposition to Butler whereas forcing the Bulldogs into 16. BYU scored 21 factors off Bulldog turnovers.
“All through these stretch of video games, coach has emphasised how vital it's to deal with the ball,” stated guard Rudi Williams, who completed with 12 factors. “I really feel like 13 is greater than we most likely wished to however it’s on the decline. We’re going to maintain engaged on that and minimizing that quantity.”
The Cougars simply couldn’t overcome a poor capturing night time from 3-point territory.
Nonetheless, BYU had loads of probabilities to drag out a win.
A jumper by Traore with 3:11 remaining reduce BYU’s deficit to 66-63, then a steal by Gideon George and subsequent layup by Williams made it 66-65.
However each time the Cougars drew shut, the Bulldogs responded. Hunter buried a 3-pointer with 2:08 left. An and-one by George sliced the deficit to 69-68. BYU by no means might seize a lead late.
George, who ended up with 14 factors and 6 rebounds, missed a 3 with 18 seconds remaining and Butler hit 4 clutch free throws over the ultimate 12 seconds to seal the victory.
“They made actually large performs down the stretch,” Pope stated. “It was an ideal win for them.”
Trailing 37-30 at halftime, the Cougars went on a 12-0 run to begin the second half, together with 3-pointers by Williams and Jaxson Robinson.
However BYU didn't make one other 3-pointer the remainder of the sport.
In all, Butler had 4 gamers rating in double figures. Manny Bates and Simas Lukosius scored 14 apiece for the Bulldogs.
Sadly for the Cougars, guard Spencer Johnson absorbed a blow late within the sport, stopping him from being on the ground throughout the essential closing moments.
“Spencer had a bit well being challenge,” Pope stated. “We’ll see what that seems to be.”
BYU will look to salvage a win in its Battle 4 Atlantis look Friday (1:30 p.m., MST, ESPNU) when it takes on Dayton (3-3).
The Flyers misplaced 76-64 to North Carolina State earlier Thursday.