BYU’s ‘yin and yang’ — Barcello, Haws — lead the way in season-opening 76-58 victory over Cal State Fullerton in Pope’s official debut as Cougar head coach

PROVO — In Mark Pope’s first game as BYU’s head coach, a newcomer played a big role in Pope’s first win. 

Guard Alex Barcello, a transfer from Arizona who found out less than two weeks ago from the NCAA that he would be eligible to play this season, turned in an impressive performance both offensively and defensively in the Cougars’ 76-58 season-opening victory over Cal State Fullerton Tuesday night at the Marriott Center. 

Barcello scored a career-high 17 points — matching the total scored by senior guard TJ Haws. Barcello helped get BYU off to a good start and he ended up hitting 7 of 9 shots from the floor, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, and he also added two assists, three steals and two blocked shots. 

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“He was fantastic. In games when you have little lulls, his energy is so contagious. What he brings on the defensive end really sparks our team,” Haws said. “We keep talking about the way we win games is, we get stops and we play defensively. Just his energy is unbelievable and it spreads to every guy. And what he does on the offensive end, he makes shots. We’re super grateful to have him. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

Pope liked seeing this dynamic duo of Barcello and Haws mesh so well together. 

“Those guys have a little yin and yang personality in the backcourt that’s going to be hugely important to us,” he said. “TJ has got some length and some cleverness and on the defensive end, Al is just like a bulldog. They work really well together and allow us to do a lot of different things. They’re going to be really good partners together.”

Barcello scored 11 first-half points and he recorded a resounding blocked shot in transition early in the contest that prompted a roar from the crowd of 11,116 and provided a lift for BYU. 

“That kind of got us rolling,” Barcello said of his block.

All in all, the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from Chandler, Arizona, enjoyed his Cougar debut. 

“It’s great to come out here and play with such great guys and such a great team,” Barcello said. “I’m very thankful. I was happy that I could go out there and play with these guys and a great coaching staff.”

Haws struggled to find his shot in the first half, scoring two points on 0 of 3 shooting. BYU led at halftime, 38-24.

But Haws scored 11 of BYU’s first 17 points in the second half, mostly on aggressive drives to the basket, and contributed to the Cougars leading by as many as 24 points.

BYU guard Connor Harding finished with 11 points, drilling 3 of 4 from 3-point territory, and grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. 

As a team, the Cougars were 11 of 24 from long distance. 

“I believe in that 3-point line. I believe in working really, really, really hard to get catch-and-shoot shots from the 3,” Pope said. “That’s really important for the way we play, especially at our size. Our guys believe they’re going to make shots. It was good for us tonight.”

With forward Yoeli Childs serving an NCAA suspension for the first nine games of the season, consistent 3-point shooting is crucial for BYU. 

“It’s huge right now. A lot of times we’re playing in a small lineup, so we really have to shoot the ball. We work on it every single day — finishing our shots and shooting with confidence,” Haws said. “Coach Pope does a great job of instilling that confidence in guys. When you get out there, you shoot your open shot. If you don’t, you’re coming to sit on the bench. The 3-point shot is huge for this team and I expect us to keep making shots.”

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Transfer guard Jake Toolson didn’t score until the 7:24 mark of the second half and he ended up scoring 7 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists.

Zac Seljaas, who broke his foot during the team’s trip to Italy in August, played 17 minutes and scored 6 points and grabbed eight boards. 

Defensively, BYU held the Titans to 37% shooting from the floor. 

BYU hosts San Diego State Saturday (2 p.m.). 

TIP-INS: Former BYU coach Dave Rose, who suffered a heart attack two weeks ago, attended Tuesday’s game with his wife, Cheryl. … Also attending was BYU’s all-time leading scorer, Tyler Haws.