PROVO, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – It was more of a struggle than expected, but the BYU men’s basketball team pulled out a 60-56 win in its season opener over Idaho State.
Down 56-55 with ten seconds left, Spencer Johnson drilled a three-pointer to give the Cougars the lead. Miguel Tomley missed a lay-up in the final seconds that would of tied the score. Johnson then hit two free throws to ice the game.
Fousseyni Traore led BYU with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Johnson finished with 11 points and six boards. Gideon George was the only other Cougar in double figures with 10 points.
The Cougars led 27-22 at the half, but trailed trailed 45-37 with 10:52 left after a jumper by Brayden Parker. BYU still trailed by five points with three minutes to play before closing the game on a 12-3 run.
George hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to two. Traore scored four points in the final minute to set up Johnson’s dramatic game-winning three-pointer.
Both teams struggled from the floor, as BYU made just 37.3 percent of its shots, while the Bengals were 38 percent from the field.
Brock MacKenzie led Idaho State with 15 points.
BYU (1-0) next plays at #19 San Diego State Friday at 8:30 p.m.
BYU holds off Idaho State in season opener, 60-56
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