(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars guard Elijah Bryant (3) shoots as BYU hosts San Diego, NCAA basketball in Provo Saturday January 20, 2018.
Provo • Maybe it was the snowstorm that pounded the Wasatch Front on Friday and Saturday. Or perhaps it was San Diego’s defense.
Whatever the case, the BYU Cougars did not shoot the ball as well in the first half of Saturday’s game against the Toreros as they have since Dave Rose shuffled his starting lineup four games ago.
The Cougars were a combined 49 of 71 (69 percent) in the first halves of their last three games, but were just 12 of 29 (41.4 percent) in the first half against San Diego, one of the best defensive teams in the country.
Rose said he put Zac Seljaas in the starting lineup to get more offense early, and it has worked.
“I think Zac went through kind of a tough spell when he was sick and we were giving him fluids and all kinds of stuff. It was behind the scenes what we were dealing with and he got to where in practice he was really helping and playing well. That’s what kind of turned the corner for us,” Rose said.
BYU’s late bloomer
After scoring 29 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the 82-67 win over Loyola Marymount on Thursday, BYU guard Elijah Bryant entered Saturday’s game as a WCC Player of the Week candidate. He will have some tough competition from Jock Landale of Saint Mary’s, however. Landale guided the Gaels to a big win at Gonzaga.
Rose said Thursday that the Cougars wanted to offer Bryant a scholarship when he was at a prep school in New Hampshire, but he committed to Elon University before they got the chance.
“When he went to the prep school, which we didn’t anticipate, and he grew four or five inches, we were trying to find a spot for him after his prep school year, but he signed early with Elon,” Rose said. “I am glad he is here. I am glad he is healthy. He is playing with a great pace. And I told you guys the other day, there is so many intangibles that he brings to our team as a captain and a leader. I just like the way he and Luke [Worthington] are guiding this group.”
Bryant hit a 3-pointer in the first half and has made at least one triple in every game this season.
Briefly
San Diego coach Lamont Smith made a slight change to his starting lineup, giving the nod to sophomore Alex Floresca over senior Cameron Neubauer. … Officials were Rick Batsell, Coban Lopez and Ryan McDaniel.
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