DAYTON, Ohio – The BYU Cougars fell in a 25 point first-half hole last night against the Iona Gales. The Gales were on fire, sharing the ball, pressing and making the Cougars play faster then they wanted. The Gales caused 13 first-half Cougar turnovers while adding 17 assists
Then something changed, the Cougars began to slow the ball down and play their game, working inside out. The Cougars gamed up 55 points in the first 15:30 of the game and held the Gales to just 17 points in the final 24:30 of the game. The Gales led by 15 points at the half but did not score in the final 4:30 of the first half.
The Cougars completed the biggest come back in NCAA tournament history getting the 78-72 victory.
The Cougars started the second half just like it ended the first half, slowing the game down and getting the ball to Noah Hartsock and Brandon Davies. The Cougars went on a 17-0 run in the second half, holding the Gales scoreless for over nine minutes and cutting the Gales’ lead to 1, midway thru the second half.
The Cougars got their first lead of the game with 2:26 remaining. The Cougars never gave up the lead once they got it, adding two free throws from Davies and one from Brock Zylstra in the closing seconds.
The Cougars advance to take on Marquette tomorrow.
Hartsock led the way for the Cougars’ 23 points while Davies added 18 points and 15 rebounds. Freshman Damarcus Harrison, who hasn’t played more then five minutes in over a month, scored a career-high 12 points playing a career-high 21 minutes.
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Copyright 2012 St. George News.