BYU Basketball dominates Santa Clara behind near triple-double from Childs

Yoeli Childs nearly recorded the team’s first triple-double in the post-Collinsworth era as the BYU Cougars (15-4, 4-2) easily defeated the Santa Clara Broncos (6-12, 3-3) by a score of 84-50 on Saturday night at the Leavey Center. Childs led the Cougars with 23 points on 9/16 shooting, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists (with just one turnover). Elijah Bryant also recorded a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds. T.J. Haws shot better than 50% from the field for the first time since December 21st, scoring 14 points on 4/5 from beyond the arc. Zac Seljaas was the fourth Cougar in double figures, matching his season high with 11 points on 5/8 shooting in his second consecutive start.

Childs scored 11 of BYU’s first 15 points in the game, including a pair of hook shots (one with each hand). He then made a beautiful one-handed bounce pass from the post to a cutting Luke Worthington for a layup to give the Cougars a 17-11 lead less than eight minutes into the game.

Childs continued his strong court vision with a great diagonal kick-out pass to Jahshire Hardnett for a wide open three pointer to extend the lead to 27-16. A nifty layup in traffic by Bryant pushed the lead out to 15 points, forcing Santa Clara to call their second timeout by the 8:31 mark of the opening half. BYU led 46-28 after 20 minutes behind their best shooting half of the season: 79.2% from the field and 71.4% from beyond the arc.

Haws carried over his hot shooting from the first half, hitting two quick three pointers at the start of the second half to end any hopes of a Santa Clara comeback. Childs fell just short of a triple-double because he did not need to play the full second half, but the Cougars still cruised to an 84-50 blowout victory. BYU will host LMU and San Diego at home next week on Thursday and Saturday respectively.