After scoring just 16 points in the first 13 minutes, BYU’s offense woke up in a big way the rest of the game in a 94-83 win over Ohio State on the opening day of college basketball.
BYU was down 37-34 at halftime and trailed by as much as 11, but BYU outscored the Buckeyes 60-46 in the second half. Rob Wright was sensational and looked like an All-American, leading BYU with 33 points, 5 assists, and 1 turnover on 9/15 shooting from the field (4/5 from three) and 11/12 from the line. Rob showed his
whole bag, getting into the paint, finishing around the rim and with floaters, and hitting pullup and stepback threes.
All five BYU starters scored in double figures. Tyler Betsey was 4/5 from three and scored 15 points, Collin Chandler scored 15 points as well, Bruce Branch put up 12 after a slow start, and Jaxon Kohler scored 11 points. BYU played four guys off the bench, who scored a combined 8 points. Nate Pickens made a three to end the first half and Brooks Bahr played nice defense on Ohio State’s best player, John Mobley.
BYU shot 54% compared to 49% from Ohio State, shot 11/24 (46%) from three, and won the turnover battle 12-8.
BYU’s defense didn’t play great, but they did enough and came up with a few good stretches to allow them to extend the league. BYU’s lack of rim protection will put a ceiling on the defense, and Ohio State exposed that at times around the rim.
This game should hold up as a Quad 1 win for BYU and be a nice data point on the resume. Ohio State came into the game ranked 18 in KenPom and BYU 33. BYU jumped to 22 after the win.
BYU next plays Omaha Friday night in Provo and has the runway to be 5-0 going into the Maui Invitational in 3 weeks.
