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PROVO — The Cougars hosted Arkansas-Little Rock Tuesday night and BYU’s continually improving defense put it on top of UALR, 91-62, at the Marriott Center.
As a team, the Cougars had nine steals and scored 24 points off of UALR turnovers.
In the last game for the Cougars, BYU head coach Dave Rose realized his team’s defense could tighten up. Against UALR Rose said his team showed some improvement.
“I thought we were better defensively. I thought that we gave up a couple of offensive rebounds early where they scored, and then in the second half when they made that run they got a couple (of baskets). But we forced them kind of into the shots that we wanted them to shoot in the areas that we kind of wanted them to shoot.”
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BYU’s defense caused UALR to shoot just 34.4 percent from the field for the game and forced the Trojans to commit 14 turnovers compared with the Cougars' 53.6 shooting percentage and 11 turnovers.
BYU senior center Nate Austin had a nice all-around game with eight points on 4-for-4 shooting with 11 rebounds and two steals.
“I thought on defense we gave a good effort, we stuck to our principles," Austin said. "We forced them baseline and made them take tough shots. Arkansas-Little Rock went on a few runs. We were up by 18 in the second half and then they cut it down to nine or 10 points, but overall it was a good effort. We made them take tough shots and we limited them pretty good on the offensive glass.”
On another note, BYU has dealt with injuries surrounding Kyle Collinsworth coming back from ACL surgery and Austin, who has had lower back issues. However, both Collinsworth and Austin seemed to be healthy and on the right track to be 100 percent when conference play starts.
“It’s good.” Austin said of his back. “I mean it hurts throughout the game but when the adrenaline kicks in then I don’t feel it, but for the most part it is all right. I am not too worried about it.”
Collinsworth had five points on the night to go along with eight rebounds and six assists.
“He is getting more and more minutes," said Cougar Anson Winder. "He is slowly getting back. We have to remember he hasn’t played in a while so it is going to take a little bit for him to get back and we are not trying to rush him or cause any injuries so we are just slowly going to get him back and get him to full form.”
Chase Fischer led the Cougars with 19 points, while Tyler Haws totaled 18 points and five assists.
BYU will host Southern Virginia Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Center. Contact Lindsey at lindspeterson4@gmail.com or on Twitter @LindsPetey
