PROVO — BYU’s Chase Fischer has been lighting it up from 3-point range the past few weeks.
In his last seven games, the junior guard has knocked down 27 3-pointers. Fischer has made five in each of his last three games against Loyola Marymount, Pacific and Saint Mary’s. At San Francisco on Jan. 3, he hit 6 of 9 from 3-point range.
“I’ve been in a good rhythm,” Fischer said.
Fischer ranks No. 4 in the nation in 3-point field goals made with 59. Earlier this season, he broke Jimmer Fredette’s school record for most 3-pointers in a game with 10 against Chaminade.
A transfer from Wake Forest who sat out last year due to NCAA transfer rules, Fischer is enjoying his first chance to play at West Coast Conference venues.
“Good atmosphere. Obviously not the result we wanted,” Fischer said after BYU’s 82-77 loss at Saint Mary’s last Saturday. “They’re a great team, it’s a fun place to play.”
Is playing on the road in the WCC as difficult as he thought it would be?
“For sure. Especially like Saint Mary’s, it’s really tough,” Fischer said. “All these places are hard to play. I was fully expecting that. Everybody says these guys are tough to play in, especially here. It’s everything I expected.”
TROUBLE INSIDE: Once again, BYU’s lack of post production was an issue in the Cougars’ setback at Saint Mary’s.
Forwards Luke Worthington and Ryan Andrus, and centers Corbin Kaufusi and Isaac Neilson scored two points and had two rebounds combined in 40 minutes of action against the Gaels.
Meanwhile, Saint Mary’s center Brad Waldow dominated the paint, scoring 24 points and collecting 14 rebounds.
Certainly, BYU needs 6-11 forward Nate Austin, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury for more than a month. Austin may be a couple of weeks away from returning to the court.
WCC STANDINGS: At nearly the halfway mark of WCC play, BYU finds itself in fourth place in the standings.
The Cougars (5-3) trail Gonzaga (7-0), Saint Mary’s (7-0) and Pepperdine (5-2).
Next up for BYU is a game at San Diego (2-6). The Toreros have dropped three consecutive games.