3 takeaways from the BYU Cougars’ 92-69 loss to the No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs
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BYU forward Dalton Nixon, left, and guard Zac Seljaas, center, and Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie go after the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Young Kwak, AP
SALT LAKE CITY — BYU stayed close for a half before No. 1 Gonzaga ran away for a blowout win in the Cougars’ 92-69 loss to the Zags on Saturday night at the Kennel in Spokane, Wash.
BYU coach Mark Pope speaks to his players during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Gonzaga won 92-69. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
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BYU forward Kolby Lee, right, drives to the basket while pressured by Gonzaga forward Filip Petrusev during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
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Gonzaga guard Admon Gilder (1) shoots in front of BYU guard Jake Toolson (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
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BYU forward Dalton Nixon, left, and guard Zac Seljaas, center, and Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie go after the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
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Gonzaga forward Filip Petrusev, left, is assisted by team staff after suffering an injury during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against BYU in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Gonzaga won 92-69. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
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Gonzaga guard Admon Gilder (1) goes up for a dunk in front of BYU guard Jake Toolson (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Gonzaga won 92-69. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
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Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert, left, shoots in front of BYU forward Kolby Lee during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Gonzaga won 92-69. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
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BYU forward Dalton Nixon dunks during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Gonzaga won 92-69. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
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BYU guard Alex Barcello, center, shoots between Gonzaga forwards Killian Tillie, left, and Corey Kispert during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Gonzaga won 92-69. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
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The Gonzaga bench reacts after guard Admon Gilder (1) dunked during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against BYU in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Gonzaga won 92-69. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) | Young Kwak, AP
BYU (14-6, 3-2 West Coast Conference) struggled from 3-point range, hitting just 6 of 20 against the Zags. Gonzaga, meanwhile, made 9 of 21 3-pointers and shot 56.1% from the field. The Zags also made 19 of 25 free throws, compared to 5 of 10 for BYU.
The Zags (20-1, 6-0 WCC) had a 37-21 edge in rebounds, including a 9-1 advantage on the offensive end. That led to Gonzaga holding a 12-2 edge in second-chance points.
After going into halftime down seven, BYU trailed by as little as six points early in the second half and by eight with 13:42 to play, but the Cougars couldn’t hang with the nation’s top team. Killian Tillie led a balanced effort for the Zags with 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Zags went on a 13-2 run late to build a 20-point lead. TJ Haws had 17 points and six assists for BYU, who was without Yoeli Childs for a fourth straight game. Childs dressed and warmed up, but did not play with a finger injury.
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