BYU Basketball falls in Barclay’s Center Classic opener to Alabama

Brooklyn, New York — #25 Alabama got hot early and never looked back, beating BYU 71-59 in the opener of the Barclay’s Center Classic.

Defense kept BYU in the game during the second half, holding the Crimson Tide to just 29 points in the final 20 minutes, but poor free throw and three point shooting kept the Cougars from putting together a run. BYU got within 7 points in the second half and 8 in the final 4 minutes, but missed shots after stopping Alabama proved to be BYU’s undoing.

BYU shot a dismal 11-21 (52.4%) from the foul line and 4-17 from beyond the arc (23.5%).

Yoeli Childs led the way with 21 points and 11 rebounds versus a big Alabama front line, but he was the only Cougar in double figures.

BYU plays tomorrow against UMass, in another game that will be streamed on Facebook Live.

Here’s to hoping tomorrow’s game goes better than the football one.