The BYU Cougars and Santa Clara Broncos played on Saturday at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. Despite the team’s efforts, BYU lost the game by 59-69. The Cougars’ had a low field goal percentage of 39%.
First quarter
In the first quarter, the Cougars were behind —16-20. Despite the Cougars making 60% of their field goals, the Broncos scored nine unanswered points for more than three minutes. Olivia Pollerd, a Broncos forward, scored three 3-point shots.
Second quarter
The Cougars prevailed by a razor-thin margin after taking a 36-35 second-quarter lead. The Broncos’ attack remained aggressive. The Broncos went almost two minutes without scoring and gave the Cougars a foul bonus.
Third quarter
Marya Hudgins, a Broncos guard, took the team lead in 3-pointers at the start of the third quarter. The Broncos led by seven points in the third quarter.
Only five minutes into the quarter, the Broncos held a 13-point lead. Both team offenses fluctuated throughout the third quarter. Lauren Gustin achieved a double-double in the final 40 seconds of the quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, the Broncos were ahead 52-43.
Fourth quarter
Through the entire fourth quarter, the Cougars committed nine fouls. The point contrast stayed within the 7-10 range. Due to a foul by BYU guard Arielle Mackey-Williams, the Broncos received a foul bonus.
The Cougars lost the game by 10 points, 59-69.
On Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. on the WCC Network, the Cougars will play Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga, California.