BYU Looks to End Homestand Strong Against MVS.
BYU’s head coach Mark Pope gestures during the Big 12 basketball game against Texas Tech on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at United Supermarkets Arena. BYU will aim to maintain its undefeated season Saturday night as it wraps up a five-game homestand against Mississippi Valley State in Provo, Utah.
The Cougars (4-0) have dominated their first four games at the Marriott Center, winning by an average of 28 points. Their most recent victory was a 95-71 comeback win over Idaho on Nov. 16.
The Delta Devils (1-4) are in the midst of a six-game road trip, which includes a challenging three-game stretch against Big 12 opponents: Kansas State, BYU, and Utah.
In their last game, Arthur Tate scored 16 points, and Antonio Sisk added 15 during Mississippi Valley State’s 74-56 loss at Kansas State on Tuesday. The Delta Devils have dropped three straight games, including defeats at Missouri and Texas.
BYU has had a week of rest since overcoming Idaho’s early lead. The Vandals opened strong, hitting five of their first six 3-pointers and building a seven-point advantage in the first half. However, BYU rallied to take a 41-38 halftime lead and outscored Idaho by 21 points in the second half for a decisive win.
“I thought it was good for our guys to experience a tighter game than the score showed,” said BYU coach Kevin Young. “I was impressed with our execution late in the game and the way we managed our offense at key moments.”
Fousseyni Traore and Richie Saunders shined for BYU, which is on the brink of cracking the Top 25 rankings.
Traore set a career high with 29 points, hitting 11 of 12 shots from the field and all seven free throws, while also grabbing nine rebounds. Saunders tallied a career-best 26 points, along with four steals and three blocks.
Freshman standout Egor Demin contributed 16 points, seven assists, three blocks, and three steals, helping BYU to start 4-0 for the second consecutive season. The Cougars began 8-0 in the 2023-24 campaign.