In some games, players get hot and stay hot. Kanon Catchings had a game-high 21 points and shot 4-7 from three. BYU had four additional players in double figures and blew out the Rattlers 103-57. A full team performance was accentuated by smart shots and patient basketball, the Cougars limiting their rushed shots and maximizing offensive output.
Florida A&M started the game quickly, taking a 7-3 lead early before BYU took off. The Cougars scored 22 unanswered points before Shaqir O'Neal gave the Rattlers their first points in eight minutes. BYU then kept scoring while the Rattlers could not figure out the BYU defense, which primarily operated in a zone that took them into halftime with a 50-21 lead.
BYU remained hot in the second half, opening on a 16-2 run. Florida A&M started hitting their shots but couldn't overcome the increasingly drastic deficit. BYU led by as much as 48 and never looked down. Fousseyni Traore dominated down low and Hall and Catchings teamed up from downtown. The Cougars were strong and were in control for most of the game.
Elijah Crawford had a beautiful dunk that sent the Marriott Center into a frenzy. A few more dunks added fuel to the fire, forging an inferno among the home faithful.
BYU had some fun that capped off with the McGregor three-pointer that put them at 102 points. BYU now has given Cougar Nation a wonderful early Christmas gift to enjoy as they prepare for in-conference play.
Overall, it was a solid performance for BYU, earning a blowout win in the Marriott Center's 800th game. Free throw shooting improved, threes were falling, and Fouss was especially dominant down low. This result brought about plenty of positives heading into the holiday break and the Cougars seem ready for its second Big 12 basketball season.