Haws' second-half eruption helps BYU pull away from Utah Valley, 75-65 in home opener

PROVO — Eventually, the threes had to start falling — for someone.

That’s what BYU coach Dave Rose told his sharpshooter TJ Haws after the Cougars made just 1-of-10 from deep in the first half and trailed Utah Valley 26-25 at the break.

The former Lone Peak ace took the message to heart.

Haws scored 17 of his team-high 23 points in the second half, and BYU held Utah Valley to 33 percent shooting en route to a 75-65 win over the Wolverines in the crosstown rivalry home opener Friday night at the Marriott Center.

"We've been talking for a while to just stay confident, shoot our shots, and get good looks," said Haws, who made 5-of-7 in the second half after opening just 3-for-6. "At halftime, we just said to keep shooting our shots; they are going to fall. I thought we got into a good rhythm as a team, and made good shots."

Yoeli Childs added 20 points, 15 rebounds and three assists for the Cougars (1-1), who won back-to-back games in the crosstown rivalry series since the Wolverines' stunning 114-101 upset back in 2016.

Utah Valley (1-1) shot just 33 percent (23-of-70) from the field, including a 6-of-21 effort from beyond the arc. The Wolverines were led by Jake Toolson’s 14 points and five rebounds, and Ben Nakwaasah added 10 points, six rebounds and three assists for UVU.

Baylee Steele had 19 rebounds for the Wolverines.

"We knew if we played our game, we'd win," said Childs, who had a casual double-double by halftime and improved from there. "It's one of those things where you've got your little brother coming up and talking to you all the time, and telling you how good they are. But you've got to teach them a lesson every once and awhile.

"We knew if we’d do what we do, we’d go out there and let them know."

If this series, which will play out the final year of a four-game contract next season, wasn’t a rivalry before the ink had dried, then it is now.

On a night when BYU desperately needed a win in something — the Cougars received news of the NCAA’s decision regarding the improper benefits case surrounding guard Nick Emery around noon, the school still felt the shockwaves of a season-ending injury to volleyball star McKenna Miller with the No. 1-ranked women’s volleyball team, and No. 24 women's soccer lost 2-1 at TCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament — Childs, Haws and the rest of the Cougar Cagers delivered the victory.

Both teams shot poorly in the first half, but Utah Valley clung to a one-point lead with aplomb in the locker room.

Then Haws opened the second half with a 10-point flurry, including a pair of 3-pointers barely a minute apart to give the Cougars a 36-33 edge with 15:38 remaining.

Haws' third three of the night scorched the back of the net, sent the near-capacity crowd into a frenzy, and gave the Cougars a 43-35 advantage — their highest lead of the night — with 12:41 remaining.

"We all like seeing that ball go through, and they see it every day," Rose said. "He hit that little 10-foot jumper, the ball went through, and he broke out a little bit. Then Jahshire made a couple huge threes, Zac made a huge shot late, Yoeli was big; it was a good team win, and I am happy for our guys."

But the Wolverines refused to go away. Conner Toolson hit an off-balance shot, and freshman Wyatt Lowell’s drive to the rim pulled UVU within two, 46-44, around the 10-minute mark of the second half.

Chipping away bit by bit, the Wolverines took a 54-53 lead when TJ Washington drove in for an and-one play, converted the free throw, and drew McKay Cannon’s fourth foul with 7:16 left.

That was the last lead the "other Division I university in Utah County" would take.

Jahshire Hardnett scored on back-to-back shots, and the Cougars capped an 8-0 run with Childs’ finish at the rim from the quick-footed point guard to go up 61-54 late.

Hardnett finished with nine points, four assists and a steal for the Cougars, who got six points off the bench from freshman Connor Harding.

"(Haws) hit that little 10-foot jumper, the ball went through, and he broke out a little bit," Rose said. "Then Jahshire made a couple huge threes, Zac made a huge shot late, Yoeli was big; it was a good team win, and I am happy for our guys."

Next up

BYU faces the first of three opponents in one week beginning Tuesday against Northwestern State, followed by Oral Roberts on Thursday and Alabama A&M on Saturday.

Utah Valley next plays at Saint Mary’s on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MST.

Related topics