No. 25 BYU drops 108 on Omaha, moves to 2-0 with second straight century-mark game

Two games into the season, No. 25 BYU is scoring at a pace that's hard to ignore. The Cougars routed Omaha 108-67 Friday night at the Marriott Center in Provo, crossing the century mark for the second straight game after putting up 94 against Ohio State on Monday — and doing it with a balance that went 12 players deep.

BYU jumped to a 20-7 lead in the first seven minutes and never let up, finishing with 56% shooting from the field, 46% from three, 22 assists against just eight turnovers, and 31 fast-break points. The Cougars also outrebounded Omaha 46-27, according to Vanquish the Foe.

All five starters scored in double figures, combining for 83 points. Rob Wright III led the team with 19, Collin Chandler and Tyler Betsey each added 18, Bruce Branch III chipped in 17, and Jaxon Kohler finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Wright, Chandler, Betsey and Branch combined to shoot 25 of 35 (71%) from the field, according to Deseret News.

The night's most eye-catching individual performance belonged to Betsey, a 6-foot-9 transfer from Syracuse who arrived in Provo with a reputation as a shooter. He's been even better than billed. Betsey sank six three-pointers Friday — four in the first half, two in the second — on eight attempts, following a 4-of-5 performance from deep against Ohio State. That puts him at 77% from three on the young season, according to Deseret News.

Eight different Cougars made at least one three-pointer on the night, including 7-foot backup big man Petar Ostojic, who connected from deep late in the game. The bench as a whole contributed 25 points and 12 of BYU's 22 assists. Jake Wahlin led reserve scorers with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, adding two blocks and a steal. Brooks Bahr dished five assists, and Khadim Mboup — who played 16 minutes — led the team with eight rebounds while combining with Dean Rueckert for six points, 12 rebounds and six assists, per Deseret News.

A blowout of Omaha — ranked No. 280 in KenPom — carries only so much weight on its own. The Mavericks entered the game at 1-1 and are widely considered the weakest opponent on BYU's schedule. But the manner of the win, particularly the efficiency numbers and the contributions from players eight and nine in the rotation, gives the Cougars meaningful early-season reps heading into a longer Big 12 grind.

BYU hosts Queens next Tuesday night at the Marriott Center.

Why it matters — BYU's back-to-back century-mark performances — built on elite shooting efficiency and double-digit contributors up and down the roster — suggest the Cougars could be one of the Big 12's most dangerous offensive teams heading into conference play.

Reported by deseret.com, apnews.com, vanquishthefoe.com