BYU Basketball holds on to win WCC opener over Pacific

It got dicey late, but BYU survived the foul fest to snap its three-game losing streak and win its WCC opener 90-87 over Pacific.

BYU rode hot first-half shooting to a 21-point first half lead before relinquishing that lead late in the game to the Tigers. Clutch late free throws from Jahshire Hardnett and Nick Emery proved to be the difference before a missed three at the buzzer from Pacific gave BYU the win.

TJ Haws led BYU with 24 points and 6 assists, and Jahshire Hardnett came off the bench for the first time this season to provide 17 points. Dave Rose inserted McKay Cannon and Luke Worthington into the starting lineup in place of Hardnett and Zac Seljaas, and BYU responded with a scorching hot start. Yoeli Childs struggled to find a rhythm and fouled out late, but he still finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Pacific led the nation in free throws coming into the game, and the Tigers made the game a foul fest, particularly in the second half. Both teams combined for 58 fouls and 72 free throws.

BYU (9-7) now travels to Moraga to take on St Mary’s (9-7) Saturday night. The Gaels are coming off a four-point loss to San Francisco.