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BYU junior Seneca Knight looks to make a pass during the WCC game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald)

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BYU senior Alex Barcello (13) dribbles the ball during the WCC game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald)

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BYU senior Te'Jon Lucas drives to the basket during the WCC game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald)

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BYU's Te'Jon Lucas shoots over a Portland player during a WCC men's basketball game at the Marriott Center on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

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BYU freshman Fousseyni Traore (in white) takes a shot while surrounded by Portland players during a WCC men's basketball game at the Marriott Center on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

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The 1980-81 BYU men's basketball team that reached the Elite 8 was honored at halftime of the Cougars' game against Portland at the Marriott Center on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

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Former BYU All-American and NBA standout Danny Ainge (left) signs a jersey for a fan during halftime of the Cougars' WCC game against Portland at the Marriott Center on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

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BYU freshman Fousseyni Traore (45) goes up for the jump ball during the WCC game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald)

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BYU sophomore Caleb Lohner (right) battles for position during the WCC game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald)

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BYU junior Spencer Johnson defends a shot during the WCC game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald)

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BYU head coach Mark Pope directs his team during the WCC game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald)

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BYU senior Te'Jon Lucas fights past a screen during the WCC game against Portland at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald)

❮ ❯

BYU is getting really good at closing out the first half, and Mark Pope said he’s got nothing to do with it.

The Cougars turned what appeared to be a certain halftime deficit into a lead on Saturday, and that big finish propelled BYU to a 78-65 victory against Portland in front of 14,837 fans at the Marriott Center.

“These guys are finishing the half like they’ve got some magic, and it’s not coaching, either,” Pope said. “These are just smart, high IQ plays. They feel the importance of the moment but every game here has been really special for us and they did it again.”

The Pilots shot the ball well in the first half and led 34-31 with under two minutes before halftime. Spencer Johnson scored on a short jumper to cut the deficit to 34-33. With just under a minute left, Te’Jon Lucas found Seneca Knight in the corner for a 3-pointer and a 36-34 advantage. After a defensive stop, Lucas and Knight repeated the process for another triple, giving the Cougars a 39-34 halftime lead.

Knight finished with his second 14-point game of the week.

“Tonight was crazy,” he said. “It was a great game and a great win for us. We went out there and had fun. Everybody had the brother’s backs out there. We know there is going to be frustration every game but we got to get the job done and just have fun doing it.”

BYU rode the momentum to start the second half, getting to a 46-36 lead on a Fousseyni Traore basket. Portland never got the lead below seven points the rest of the way. The Cougars led 64-57 with 7:10 to play and pulled away by holding the Pilots without a field goal for nearly six minutes. Alex Barcello and Knight both made 3-pointers and moments later, Lucas poked the ball away from Portland and Knight scooped it up, racing on the break for a spectacular two-handed dunk. Atiki Ally Atiki scored inside for a 78-58 lead to put the game away.

Lucas scored 15 first-half points and finished with 16 points and seven assists. Traore had his second straight double-double, making 6 of 6 from the field for 14 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high four assists.

Tyler Robertson led Portland (1-2, 10-9) with 15 points. After starting the game 6 of 13 from the 3-point line, the Pilots were just 2 of 10 in the second half from distance.

“Tonight they (Portland) threw a lot of different looks at us,” Knight said. Last game and this game there were a lot of perimeter shots and everything. So I have to adjust. But I feel like we did pretty good just maneuvering throughout it. And about Fous, man. He’s just 6-foot-6 and he did this on his birthday. That’s great.”

The first half was fast-paced and for most of it, Portland had the advantage. The Pilots made six of their first eight shots and at the 11:31 mark, led by seven, 20-13. Lucas scored had a streak of 12 points out of 15 scored by the Cougars to keep them close. Portland answered every BYU run until the push at the end of the half.

The Cougars dominated on the boards (41-28) and outscored the visitors 32-16 in the paint. Portland cooled off considerably offensively after its hot start. The Pilots, who came into the game as the top free throw shooting team in the country (81.6%) missed their first five from the line and finished at 50% (9 of 18).

They’re a good young team especially when they shoot it like they shot it tonight,” Pope said. “They’re dangerous and they can do some damage in this league. We felt like Fous had a real advantage. They take away some things but they give you post touches. For a freshman, Fous was unbelievable at managing all the bodies in there.”

At halftime, BYU honored the 1980-81 men’s basketball team that advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. Former head coach Frank Arnold, assistant coach Roger Reid, NCAA Player of the Year and NBA standout Danny Ainge and his former Boston Celtics teammate Greg Kite were among those acknowledged.

BYU (5-1, 17-4) will play at Santa Clara next Thursday and at Pacific on Saturday.

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