PROVO — No. 14 BYU utilized an old WAC and MWC foe to warm up for its Big 12 debut, defeating Wyoming 94-68 in front of a sold-out Marriott Center on Saturday.
The Cougars utilized the same methods against the Cowboys as they had used throughout their 12-1 nonconference run.
They scored 14 three-pointers, played share-the-ball, rebounded like it was a real estate issue, and got significant contributions from big guys Noah Watermanh, Aly Khalifa, and Atiki Ally Atiki.
Because Fouss Traore, BYU's most gifted rebounder and interior post offensive player, sat out for the seventh consecutive game while attempting to recover from an injury.
Waterman made 6 of 11 shots, including 5 of 10 from distance, grabbed 8 rebounds, and scored 17 points, tying Trevin Knell for the team lead.
On a night when he made two of three 3-pointers, Khalifa had eight assists and one error while scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds.
Despite playing with a fractured thumb, Atiki recorded a career-high 14 points and eight rebounds.
Only two turnovers were committed by two of the three big players. Atiki had none.