Barcello scores 25 points, BYU pound # 12 Oregon 81-49

PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) – The hoots and roars from the BYU locker room could be heard far down the hall at Portland’s Moda Center.

The celebration was spirited after BYU beat Oregon 81-49 in 12th place in the Phil Knight Invitational Tuesday night.

Alex Barcello had a season high of 25 points, including four 3-point points, and Te’Jon Lucas added 12 points for the Cougars (3-0), who led by up to 33 points.

“Obviously this was a pretty high level team, lots of talented guys. This is definitely a big win for us, ”said Barcello. “A 3-0 start to the season, that is what we would have all wished for a few months ago. Now that we are here, having these three wins is definitely great. But we have to move on to the next game. “

Eric Williams Jr. led Oregon (2-1) with 12 points. The Ducks – a four-point favorite according to the FanDuel Sportsbook – shot 32% off the ground and made three of 14 3-point attempts.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, BYU is the first unrated team with a 30-point win away – street or neutral place – over a top 15 opponent since November 29, 1993.

The win margin of 32 points was BYU’s biggest win over a rated team.

Williams was the only player in the double digits for the Ducks, who came into the game with five players averaging 10 or more points. It was Oregon’s biggest loss of all time as a ranked team and only the third loss of 30 or more points under coach Dana Altman.

Oregon opened the season with wins over Texas Southern and SMU and jumped a spot in the rankings after opening the season at number 13.

BYU was not rated, but received votes for the AP Top 25.

“To be beaten by 30 points, that just didn’t happen to us this year,” said Altman, who was responsible for the loss. “That shouldn’t happen for our program. I am totally embarrassed. “

BYU improved to 3-5 against the rated teams under coach Mark Pope. The Cougars beat no. 2 Gonzaga in Provo, Utah on February 22, 2020, one of only two losses for the Bulldogs this season.

“We’re chasing something really big,” said Pope. “We want to do a lot. We try to be great. So this is a positive step. But we have to go tomorrow and we have to find a way to get better. ”

BYU took the lead 19-9 on Barcellos Springer in the first half. Oregon has not been left behind in any game that season.

Gavin Baxter’s jumper pushed BYU’s lead to 25-11. During a break, the Cougars fans sang “BYU” in the Moda Center. Spencer Johnson’s deep 3-pointer with 2:13 left at half time made it 33-13.

Barcello, who averaged 20.5 points, only missed the floor after 13:35 in the second half.

“I’m disappointed with these guys, but not nearly as disappointed as I am with myself,” said Altman of the loss. “I mean that sincerely. I’m mad at myself because with the talent we have on this team, that’s impossible. “

BROTHER ACT

The game featured brothers on opposite pages. BYU Junior Guard Spencer Johnson is the older brother of Oregon freshman Isaac Johnson. The Johnsons attended high school in American Fork, Utah. Spencer played at Salt Lake Community College before joining Provo.

STAT PACKAGE

BYU: The Cougars opened the season with wins over Cleveland State and San Diego State. … BYU was 18 points less than Oregon’s compared to five. … Fousseyni Traore finished with 10 points and six rebounds. … Barcello has made 38 free throws in a row, a sustained BYU record.

Oregon: The Ducks single-game record for rebounds, 77, came in 1955 against BYU. Jim Loscutoff posted the single record for rebounds in that game at 32.… Oregon only had one assist in the first half and ended up with only seven for the game.

NEXT

BYU welcomes Central Methodist on Saturday.

Oregon travels to Las Vegas to face Chaminade in the Maui Invitational on Monday.

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