BYU Beats Pepperdine in Slugfest, Draws Gonzaga in WCC Finals

If you stayed awake for all of that, you deserve a medal.

BYU took down Pepperdine 82-77 Monday night/Tuesday morning to advance to the WCC finals. To be honest, this might have been the ugliest basketball game I’ve ever watched but, hey, BYU got the win.

BYU had 21 turnovers and both teams combined for 49 total fouls in a game that BYU fans may soon want to forget. Despite the sloppiness, BYU responded with some clutch plays late to come away with the win. Colbey Ross hit a buzzer beater in regulation to send the game to OT, but a late Spencer Johnson steal in OT sealed the game for BYU.

Alex Barcello was the high man for BYU with 23 points and teammates Matt Haarms and Brandon Averette scored 18 and 16 points, respectively.

Pepperdine star guard Colbey Ross hit the big shot in regulation, but BYU held him to 7-24 shooting (1-9 from 3) and 7 turnovers. Spencer Johnson was the main man guarding him late and did a great job on him.

Next up, BYU has a game with #1 Gonzaga at 6pm PST Tuesday night on ESPN. The Zags walked over St. Mary’s 78-55 in their semifinal game.