alt=Jeff CallSALT LAKE CITY — On Wednesday, BYU suffered a bitter overtime loss to archrival Utah at the Huntsman Center.
How will the Cougars respond to that setback?
BYU meets former Mountain West Conference rival UNLV Saturday (1 p.m., MST, BYUtv) Saturday at Vivint Arena.
“Well, we’ve got to get way better. We know that. Our deal is that we’re going to get better every single day and that’s what we focus on,” said coach Mark Pope after the 102-95 defeat against the Utes. “This game constantly asks you to respond. We have to find a way to respond to this in a really positive way and grow from it and learn from it and get better.”
“This game constantly asks you to respond. We have to find a way to respond to this in a really positive way and grow from it and learn from it and get better.” — BYU coach Mark Pope
With Yoeli Childs making his season debut Wednesday, the Cougars jumped out to a 16-point lead at Utah. Childs scored a game-high 29 points and pulled down seven rebounds before suffering what appeared to be a leg cramp that forced him to the bench late in the game.
And BYU (6-4) squandered a double-digit advantage in the second half.
Childs’ status is uncertain going into Saturday’s game. At Utah, he made his first five shots, including three 3-pointers and scored 13 of the Cougars’ first 20 points.
Guard Jake Toolson also turned in a strong performance, pouring in 27 points to go along with nine rebounds and six assists. Over the last two games, Toolson has made 16 of 25 shots and 6 of 8 from 3-point territory and is averaging 22 points per game.
“We’re on to UNLV,” Toolson said after the disappointing loss to Utah. “We’re going to get better from this one.”
Like BYU, UNLV (4-6) is led by a first-year coach — T.J. Otzelberger, who previously coached at South Dakota State.
Rebels guard Amauri Hardy averages a team-high 17.7 points per game. He’s hit nearly 40% of his 3-pointers this season.
“We’re just excited to play. It’s a huge game. This Vegas team is a good team and getting better,” Pope said. “They have some talented players and so it’s going to be a great challenge. It will be fun to get back to playing.”
UNLV’s wins have come against Purdue Fort Wayne, Abilene Christian, Jackson State and Fresno State. The Rebels beat Fresno State 81-80 in double overtime Wednesday.
UNLV’s losses were to Kansas State, California, UCLA, Texas State, SMU and Cincinnati.
A year ago, BYU and UNLV played at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Rebels won 92-90 when guard Noah Robotham drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime.
Entering that game, UNLV was shooting only 27% from 3-point range, averaging about five 3s per game. That night, the Rebels made 13 3-pointers, including Robotham’s game-winner.
The Cougars were led by Childs, who scored a game-high 25 points, on 12-of-21 shooting from the field, and grabbed 11 rebounds.
BYU’s three-game winning streak came to an end with that loss while UNLV snapped its three-game losing streak.
Now, coming off an overtime loss at Utah, the Cougars have five nonconference games remaining before tipping off West Coast Conference play in January.
BYU hosts Nevada next Tuesday then takes on No. 25 Utah State next Saturday in the Beehive Classic at Vivint Arena, followed by home games against Weber State and Oral Roberts.
“We walk into a really tough stretch outside of our gym again,” Pope said earlier this week, “where we play some great teams and there will be some heated games.”
Cougars on the air
UNLV (4-6)
vs. BYU (6-4)
Saturday, 1 p.m. MST
Vivint Smart Home Arena
TV: BYUtv
Radio: KSL 1160 AM, 102.7 FM