University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels guard Bryce Hamilton (13) comes down with a rebound against Brigham Young Cougars forward Yoeli Childs (23) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News

By Jeff Call

SALT LAKE CITY — In two contests since serving a nine-game suspension to start the season, BYU’s Yoeli Childs has made a significant impact. 

While he poured in 29 points in an overtime loss to Utah earlier in the week in his season debut, Childs scored 13 points and collected 14 rebounds — recording his 38th career double-double, and first of the season — in the Cougars’ 83-50 win over UNLV Saturday afternoon at Vivint Smart Home Arena. 

Childs suffered leg cramps in the second half against Utah and was on the bench during crucial moments of that contest. Then he missed the last couple days of practice and was questionable for Saturday’s game. 

“I feel really good. We were very precautionary,” Childs said. “They had me drinking like crazy, man. I had pickle juice before and all that crazy stuff, heat packs. I felt good. I think that’s behind me.” 

Childs said he had cramps in both legs. 

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Brigham Young Cougars guard Jake Toolson (5) shoots for three against University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels guard Marvin Coleman (31) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels guard Bryce Hamilton (13) comes down with a rebound against Brigham Young Cougars forward Yoeli Childs (23) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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A set of University of Nevada Las Vegas players defend Brigham Young Cougars forward Yoeli Childs (23) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels forward Donnie Tillman (2) drives into Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (4) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels head coach T. J. Otzelberger congratulates Brigham Young Cougars guard Cameron Pearson (15) on their win following a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Zac Seljaas (2) swats a shot away from University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels forward Cheickna Dembele (15) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Brigham Young University head coach Mark Pope smiles during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Zac Seljaas (2) attempts to block a shot from University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels forward Donnie Tillman (2) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels forward Nick Blair (20) shoots for two during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels forward Donnie Tillman (2) fouls Brigham Young Cougars forward Dalton Nixon (33) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars forward Dalton Nixon (33) shoots for two over the head of University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels forward Cheickna Dembele (15) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (4) passes to a teammate after being blocked on his shot by University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels guard Amauri Hardy (3) during the second half of a basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News

Coach Mark Pope praised the team training staff for doing “an unbelievable job” to get Childs ready to play the Rebels. 

How has Childs integrated with his teammates after sitting out the first nine games of the season?

“He’s a good player, man. We just need to keep him healthy. He’s just a really talented player,” Pope said. “He has ways he can grow but he makes my life feel way easier. We can’t get spoiled by that. We have to use every bit of that. He was terrific tonight and he’s going to continue to improve as he gets his rhythm back and integrates more. On the glass, it’s really helped us.”

Forward Dalton Nixon, who recorded a career-high 17 points against UNLV, said Childs makes his team much better, including on the offensive side of the court. The Cougars drilled 14 of 27 3-pointers against UNLV. 

“Yoeli really creates a lot of attention,” Nixon said. “So when we can space the floor like that, we can make plays for each other. That’s what we did.”