Cougars jumped ahead and never looked back in upset of Oregon

Oregon forward Eric Williams Jr. shoots over BYU forward Caleb Lohner in Portland. — Oregon forward Eric Williams Jr., right, shoots over BYU forward Caleb Lohner, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

In its first matchup against a nationally ranked team this season, BYU upset No. 12 Oregon 81-49 Tuesday night at the Moda Center in Portland, the program’s first victory over a top-15 team since the 2020 win over No. 2 Gonzaga.

BYU forward Gideon George passes the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Oregon in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

1 of 15

Oregon forward Eric Williams Jr., right, shoots over BYU forward Caleb Lohner, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

2 of 15

BYU guard Alex Barcello drives to the basket in front of Oregon guard Jacob Young during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

3 of 15

Oregon guard De’Vion Harmon, left, dribbles around BYU guard Alex Barcello during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

4 of 15

Oregon forward Eric Williams Jr., center, drives to the basket past BYU forward Caleb Lohner, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

5 of 15

Oregon forward Quincy Guerrier, right, dribbles past BYU forward Gideon George during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

6 of 15

Oregon guard De’Vion Harmon, right, shoots over BYU guard Spencer Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

7 of 15

Oregon forward Quincy Guerrier, left, shoots over BYU forward Fousseyni Traore during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

8 of 15

Oregon forward Eric Williams Jr., right, dribbles around BYU forward Seneca Knight during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

9 of 15

BYU guard Alex Barcello, left, shoots next to Oregon forward Quincy Guerrier during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

10 of 15

BYU guard Alex Barcello (13) shoots in front of Oregon guard Jacob Young during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

11 of 15

BYU guard Te’Jon Lucas shoots a 3-pointer against Oregon during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

12 of 15

BYU guard Te’Jon Lucas reacts after making a 3-point basket against Oregon during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

13 of 15

BYU guard Te’Jon Lucas shoots over Oregon forward Quincy Guerrier, right, and guard De’Vion Harmon (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

14 of 15

BYU guard Alex Barcello shoots against Oregon during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

15 of 15

Here are three keys to BYU’s win:

• The Cougars built an early lead in the first half and didn’t let up. BYU shot 16 of 28 from the floor over the first 20 minutes while holding the Ducks to 5 of 25. The Cougars led at halftime 37-18. BYU led by as many as 33 in the second half.

How Twitter reacted to BYU’s huge win over No. 12 Oregon

• Guard Alex Barcello knocked down his first eight shots from the field and ended up 9 of 11 with 25 points. Guard Te’Jon Lucas added 12 points.

• Freshman Fousseyni Traore made a big impact with 10 points and six rebounds before going out with an injury in the game’s closing minutes. The Cougars outrebounded the Ducks 35-25.