BYU COUGARS NEWS

Traore's dominating run in second half leads BYU over Idaho 95-71

Fousseyni Traore had a career-high 29 points off the bench, including a personal 16-8 run, Richie Saunders added his career high of 26 points and BYU defeated Idaho 95-71

3 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Injury and progression revealed Hall (toe) is "trending in a good direction" to being available again, per Mitch Harper of KSL News.

Impact Previously undisclosed, Hall's injury is a toe problem that prevented his availability for an Idaho-BYU game Saturday. Up next for the Cougars is Mississippi Valley State at home next Saturday.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Excelling in starting role Saunders finished Saturday's 95-71 win over Idaho with 26 points (10-15 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-3 FT), four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and four steals across 30 minutes.

Impact Saunders scored 17 of his season-high 26 points in the second half as BYU pulled away from Idaho. The junior forward drained four threes and shot 10-15 (66.7%) from the floor while contributing all over the court, including adding three blocks and four thefts on the defensive end. Saunders played 20.6 minutes per game last season while coming off the bench for all but one of 34 games played, averaging 9.6 points and 4.1 rebounds. This year, he's entered the starting lineup and through four games has leaped to 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks across 27.5 minutes per contest.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Career-high 29 off bench Traore registered 29 points (11-12 FG, 7-7 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one block in 23 minutes during Saturday's 95-71 victory over Idaho.

Impact Traore needed just 23 minutes off the bench to post a career-high 29 points on a nearly perfect night from the field. The senior center scored 20 of his 29 in the second half, including a stretch in the second half where he posted 16 points, four rebounds and a block in less than 5:30 of game time that helped the Cougars pull away. Traore was initially expected to start but has filled the same bench role that he assumed last season for 18 of the 26 games he played. Whether starting or coming off the bench, BYU plays a deep rotation that limited Traore to 18.3 minutes per game last season and has kept him at 19.5 minutes thus far this season. However, as evidenced Saturday, he does not need to play many minutes to fill up the box score.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Helped to the locker room Keita was helped to the locker room in BYU's game against Idaho, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Keita had eight rebounds and four points before he was taken to the locker room. His status is now in question for Nov. 23 against Mississippi Valley State.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Dawson Baker, BYU hot from deep in blowout of Queens (Charlotte) Dawson Baker hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points to help BYU cruise to a 99-55 win over visiting Queens University of Charlotte on Wedne...

6 DAYS AGO • SACBEE.COM

Dawson Baker, BYU hot from deep in blowout of Queens (Charlotte) Dawson Baker hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points to help BYU cruise to a 99-55 win over visiting Queens University of Charlotte on Wedne...

6 DAYS AGO • KANSASCITY.COM

Dawson Baker scores 22 points, Keba Keita adds double-double to help BYU roll past Queens 99-55

Dawson Baker made six 3-pointers and scored 22 points, Keba Keita had a double-double and BYU jumped out early and beat Queens 99-55

6 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Catches fire from downtown Baker ended Wednesday's 99-55 victory over Queens University with 22 points (8-10 FG, 6-7 3Pt), one rebound, two assists and one steal across 18 minutes.

Impact Baker paced the Cougar effort by draining six of seven from behind the arc to finish with a team-high 22 points. The junior reserve has seen at least 17 minutes in each of the team's three games after playing just four games last season due to an injured foot. He had scored just nine points total through the previous two games prior to Wednesday's breakout performance.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Breaks out of slump Knell ended with 16 points (6-9 FG, 4-7 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist over 20 minutes during Wednesday's 99-55 victory over Queens University.

Impact Knell played his best game of the young season, shooting 66.7% from the field while draining four of seven from behind the arc to reach double figures in scoring for the first time this season. Knell shot 45.3% from the field last season including 38.5% from downtown but struggled to the tune of 23.1% and 25.0% respectively through his first two games prior to breaking out of his slump Wednesday.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Wednesday Hall (undisclosed) won't play against Queens University on Wednesday, Greg Wrubell of BYU Athletics reports.

Impact Hall will miss his third straight game. BYU reportedly is optimistic about the junior being able to return in November, but he's still working his way back. He should re-insert himself into the starting lineup whenever he does return.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not ready to return yet Stewart (knee) is unavailable for Wednesday's game against Queens University but is trending toward progressing, head coach Kevin Young told Greg Wrubell. "Both [Stewart and Daili...

Impact Stewart is yet to play this season, but Young's recent words are encouraging regarding a potential return to the hardwood in the near future. Stewart will add depth to the backcourt when eligible to return.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

BYU hosts Queens after Demin's 20-point game

BYU hosts the Queens Royals after Egor Demin scored 20 points in BYU's 86-80 victory over the UC Riverside Highlanders

NOVEMBER 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

BYU Basketball Looks to Get Third Straight Win in First-Ever Matchup vs Queens As BYU hoops gears up to host Queens University on Wednesday night, Cougar fans can look forward to what should be a fun early-season matchu...

NOVEMBER 12 • SI.COM

BYU Basketball Outlasts UC Riverside and Remains Unbeaten at 2-0 BYU fans packed the Marriott Center Friday night expecting a strong follow-up to Tuesday’s dominant season opener. What they got was a littl...

NOVEMBER 9 • SI.COM

Double-double in 19 minutes Keita ended with 14 points (5-6 FG, 4-8 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 19 minutes during Friday's 86-80 victory over UC Riverside.

Impact Keita has unexpectedly started the first two games over Fousseyni Traore and led the Cougars on the glass, contributing 10 boards to go along with 14 points for his first double-double of the season. The junior transfer from Utah is essentially splitting time with Traore as Keita played 19 minutes while Traore saw 20 minutes of action and the two combined for 27 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks Friday. BYU will traditionally limit the time on the court for their big men and as long as both continue to provide quality production, it would be safe to expect that each will remain in the 18-22 minute range moving forward.

NOVEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Demin scores 20, Keita adds double-double and BYU outlasts UC Riverside 86-80

Egor Demin scored 20 points, Keba Keita added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and BYU held off UC Riverside 86-80

NOVEMBER 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Won't play Friday night Stewart (knee) won't play against UC Riverside on Friday night, Jake Hatch of KSL Sports Zone reports.

Impact Stewart will miss his second straight game to start the season. The guard figures to have a rotational role for the Cougars this season, but will need to wait until at least Nov. 13 to take the court.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Hall (undisclosed) appears to be out for BYU on Friday night, Jake Hatch of KSL Sports Zone reports.

Impact Hall missed the Cougars' opener, and is now set to miss his second straight ball-game. The point guard is set to be BYU's starter at the one this season, but he'll need to wait until at least Nov. 16 against Queens University to see the court.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

BYU freshman look to dazzle again vs. UC Riverside BYU and its highly touted freshmen will be back in action again Friday night when they host UC Riverside in Provo, Utah.Egor Demin, a five-s...

NOVEMBER 8 • SACBEE.COM

Freshman Egor Demin fuels BYU's rout of Central Arkansas Egor Demin scored 18 points and dished out 11 assists in his collegiate debut while leading BYU to a 88-50 win over Central Arkansas in the...

NOVEMBER 6 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Contributes 16 points, eight boards Saunders accumulated 16 points (6-11 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one steal in 26 minutes during Tuesday's 88-50 win over Central Arkansas.

Impact Saunders earned the starting nod after having started just three games over his first two seasons with the Cougars, posting 16 points and eight rebounds. It will be interesting to follow how the rotation shakes out when point guard Dallin Hall returns, but whether starting or coming off the bench, Saunders will be an integral part of the BYU rotation. Saunders averaged 9.6 points and 4.1 rebounds across 20.6 minutes last season and will look to expand upon all of those numbers this season.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Debuts with 18 points, 11 assists Demin accumulated 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 0-1 FT), four rebounds, 11 assists and four steals across 31 minutes during Tuesday's 88-50 victory over Central Arkansas.

Impact Demin, one of the top freshman recruits in the country, immediately earned the start for BYU and did not disappoint, pacing the team with 18 points,11 assists and four steals while also leading the team with 31 minutes of court time. It was an impressive debut for Demin, who has already forced his way into the starting lineup and major minutes for the Cougars. It will be interesting to see how Demin responds as the competition becomes stiffer but he's already made an early statement as one of the top rookies in the country.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Out vs. Central Arkansas Stewart (knee) will not play in Tuesday's meeting against Central Arkansas, Greg Wrubell of BYU Athletics reports.

Impact Stewart will miss the season-opener as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury. The senior guard will aim to be available for Friday's game against UC Riverside.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Tuesday Hall (undisclosed) will not play in Tuesday's contest against Central Arkansas, Greg Wrubell of BYU Athletics reports.

Impact After reports indicated the junior guard was hopeful to play this week, Hall will miss the season-opener as he tends to an undisclosed injury. He will aim to be available for Friday's matchup against UC Riverside.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE