Cougars hold off Toreros to end regular season with a win

BYU vs. San Diego Postgame Notes

BYU vs. San Diego Box Score

PROVO, Utah – Yoeli Childs and TJ Haws put up big offensive numbers to help BYU beat San Diego 87-73 in the regular season finale Saturday at the Marriott Center.

"It was a hard-fought game," BYU head coach Dave Rose said. "I’m glad for our guys to get a big win and some momentum going into the tournament next week."

Childs had 29 points and 13 rebounds for the Cougars (19-12, 11-5). Haws knocked down 3 of 4 3-pointers and 11 of 12 free throws for 28 points. He also recorded five rebounds and four assists.

BYU’s quick 8-3 lead was sparked by Nick Emery’s 3-point play on the first Cougar possession. Halfway through the first half, BYU led 21-10 after a 10-0 run.

With 7:30 left in the half, Haws hit a long 3-pointer to make it 27-15 for the Cougars. After making five-straight from the field, BYU led 36-23 with four minutes on the clock.

A run from the Toreros made it a 39-32 Cougar lead. Childs made a pair of free throws with just under a minute to give BYU a 41-32 lead at the half.

Six minutes into the second half, Childs completed a 3-point play to put BYU up a game-high 18 points at 58-40. They gained a 19-point lead with 10 minutes remaining when Haws hit a 3 from the wing. Seconds later, Connor Harding’s free throw made it 69-49.

San Diego cut the BYU lead to single digits at 75-66 with just over four minutes left to play. With 2:19 on the clock, The Toreros had narrowed it to a 79-73 Cougar advantage.

BYU kept San Diego at a comfortable distance down the stretch with a couple of steals and free throws. The Cougars won by a final of 87-73.

Prior to the game, seniors McKay Cannon and Luke Worthington were honored for their careers at BYU.

The Cougars next play in the West Coast Conference Tournament in Las Vegas, which begins on March 7.