PROVO, Utah – A one possession game early in the second half turned into a lopsided final as BYU pulled away for a 69-45 victory over Portland in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams Thursday night at the Marriott Center. The Cougars extended their winning streak to nine games with the victory.
The Pilots (6-8, 0-1 WCC) had two shots to take the lead early in the second half, but both rimmed out and the Cougars then held Portland scoreless for a stretch of 6:32 to open a 17-point margin.
Yoeli Childs and Elijah Bryant each recorded double-doubles for the Cougars (12-3, 1-0).