Liberty guard Keegan McDowell, wearing red, defends against BYU guard Alex Barcello, wearing white
Liberty guard Keegan McDowell (20) defends against BYU guard Alex Barcello (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Honolulu. Marco Garcia, Associated Press
Jeff Call

By Jeff Call

BYU (11-3) defeated Liberty 80-75 to claim third place in the Diamond Head Classic Saturday, Christmas Day, in Honolulu. 

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Here are three keys to the Cougars’ win:

  • BYU made just 3 of 19 3-pointers against the Flames but it hit 29 of 35 free throws. Liberty was 12 of 18 from the charity stripe.
  • Making his first career start, Fousseyni Traore recorded his first career double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Troare was named to the Diamond Head Classic All-Tournament team. Liberty’s Darius McGhee scored a game-high 29 points and was named the tournament MVP.
  • Trevin Knell scored 15 points and Te’Jon Lucas added 11. Both players made big plays down the stretch to help the Cougars hold off the Flames. 
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