PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball lost in the semi-finals of the Diamond Head Classic to the Vanderbilt Commodores, 69-67.
The loss brings BYU’s record down to 10-3 for the season overall.
BYU’s setback ended with some controversy when security guard Alex Barcello appeared to be fouled as he went near the suit for a shot to try to tie the game. On a night in which 38 fouls were named, the officials did not whistle the game, which gave the Commodores the surprising victory.
BYU didn’t help themselves in the full 40 minutes of play as they spun the ball 19 times at the Commodores 10. Vandy scored 18 points after BYU’s wrong decisions.
Vanderbilt Guard Scotty Pippen Jr. took the game, finishing the game 23 points on an 8-of-16 shootout from the field. Eight of his 23 points came in the last four minutes of the game.
Lots of physical play on this final shot from #BYU. Referees don’t whistle.
Final: Vanderbilt 69, #BYU 67.
Cougars play Liberty in 3rd place play on Christmas Day. # BYUHoops @kslsports
– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 24, 2021
Here is a snapshot of the gameplay.
BYU / Vanderbilt had a number of runs in the first half
BYU 14, Vanderbilt 11-15:17
Vanderbilt quickly took an 8-2 lead before BYU caught fire, led by Trevin Knell, who scored two threes in a 12-0 run.
BYU 21, Vanderbilt 14 – 10:29
Back-to-back layups from Spencer Johnson helped BYU lead to a three-player game.
BYU 23, Vanderbilt 19 – 7:08
On the defensive, both teams strengthened. BYU hadn’t scored a field goal in the past 3:52 years.
Vanderbilt wasn’t much better and only made one of her last eight field goal attempts.
BYU 28, Vanderbilt 25-3:43
Vanderbilt had two open three-point chances but failed to convert.
One guy who has no problem knocking open deep balls is Alex Barcello. The top guard buried a three in the corner to keep the BYU in front.
If Barcello can get a wide-open view from three, that’s as close to the automatic as you’ll find.
BYU 35, Vanderbilt 30 – HALF
BYU lost eleven balls in the first half, but still held the lead at break.
For the second time in a row, BYU hit a half-time buzzer beater. This time it was Spencer Johnson with a layup on the horn.
Scotty Pippen Jr. takes over in the second half
BYU 38, Vanderbilt 38 – 3:58 pm
Vanderbilt took the lead for a brief moment after a 6-0 run. BYU hit only one field goal in the first minutes of the second half, a jumper from Te’Jon Lucas.
BYU 50, Vanderbilt 50 – 11:45 am
Just a newbie. Fousseyni Traore will be a fundamental piece for the future of #BYU in the Big 12.
He just keeps getting better. # BYUHoops
– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 24, 2021
Offensive fireworks from both teams and including a threesome from Caleb Lohner from BYU. When it came into play, Lohner was 1 out of 19 from across the arch. However, he confidently buried corner three. The problem was BYU struggled to get defensive stops. Vanderbilt is in the first eight minutes of the second half plus four on the glass.
BYU 57, Vanderbilt 53 – 7:40
With a critical offensive rebound putback for a bucket, Spencer Johnson improved BYU by four. Johnson wasn’t the only one to shatter the glass, however, as Fousseyni Traore and Seneca Knight were active in helping BYU ricochet the Commodores off at five in those four minutes.
Alex Barcello claimed his fourth foul with 6:01 remaining in the game.
Another night AB is in big trouble. Can #BYU build up another lead like last night? #BYUHoops @kslsports
– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 24, 2021
Vanderbilt 61, BYU 60-3:42
At 6:01 am half-time, Alex Barcello was called for his fourth foul. Last night against USF, BYU expanded the lead and expanded it with their star guard, which deals with fouls. This time against Vandy, Mark Pope AB reset after almost two minutes of play.
Gideon George buried a three from the top of the arch as the shot clock ran out, but Vandy’s Scotty Pippen Jr. keeps finding a way to get to the edge and stop the clock with free throws. He has 17 points, with six of his points coming from the charity strip.
Vanderbilt 69, BYU 64 – 1:21
Pippen Jr. took over the game with four field goals, all of which were marginalized. BYU had costly sales from their stars at Barcello and Lohner, resulting in 19 Cougars sales for the game.
FINAL: Vanderbilt 69, BYU 67
Next up
BYU will play Liberty in the game for 3rd place in the Diamond Head Classic 2021 at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2 and KSL NewsRadio.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Track Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday, 12pm – 3pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
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