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Can BYU Cougars' Strategic Mastery Outplay West Virginia Mountaineers Again?

The Brigham Young University Cougars showcased their dominance on the court with a commanding 77-56 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers. This win improved the Cougars' season record, demonstrating their prowess and strategic gameplay. The Mountaineers, despite a valiant effort, could not overcome the challenges posed by BYU, leaving them to reflect on their performance.


Dec 1, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) shoots the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs during the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Game Highlights


The game was a testament to BYU's offensive and defensive strategies. The Cougars excelled in various aspects of the game, notably in points in paint where they scored 46 points compared to the Mountaineers' 22. This significant difference underscored BYU's ability to penetrate defenses and score from close range effectively.


BYU also outperformed West Virginia in rebounds, grabbing 43 compared to West Virginia's 32. This rebounding advantage was crucial for BYU as it limited second-chance points for the Mountaineers and provided more scoring opportunities for themselves.


Another highlight of the game was BYU's bench contribution which added an impressive 43 points to their total score. This depth of talent proved too much for West Virginia, whose bench contributed only 16 points.


Star Performances


Among individual performances, Fousseyni Traore stood out with an impressive double-double consisting of 20 points and 10 rebounds. His efficiency on both ends of the court played a pivotal role in securing this win for BYU.


Egor Demin also made significant contributions with his scoring ability, adding another layer of threat from beyond the arc by sinking three-point shots that totaled up to 15 points along with six rebounds and three assists.


Dallin Hall facilitated playmaking excellently with six assists while contributing eight points himself; his vision on court ensured smooth execution of plays leading to efficient scoring opportunities for his team.


On the opposing side, despite facing challenges throughout the game, West Virginia showed resilience. Their efforts were highlighted by moments where they managed an unanswered run that briefly shifted momentum in their favor but ultimately wasn't enough against a well-prepared Cougar team.


As we look ahead, Brigham Young University Cougars are set to face Iowa State Cyclones at James H. Hilton Coliseum in Ames on March 4th at 9:00 PM EDT. Fans can catch all live action broadcasted on ESPN2 as both teams prepare for what promises to be an exciting matchup.



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