Rosser, Berzat combine for 30 points as UNO falls in opener at BYU

BOX SCORE

PROVO, Utah – New Orleans forced a #RV BYU team that committed just six turnovers 24 hours ago to have 18 miscues in its 86-61 setback in the 2020-21 season opener at the Marriott Center on Thanksgiving.

The Privateers led early and put together runs throughout the game, and despite the outcome, there were many positives to look forward to throughout the season.

“he guys executed the game plan extremely well early on,” said head coach Mark Slessinger. ”A lot of our guys were able to get on the court, and despite some of the mental errors and the outcome, getting back on the court was huge. The key for us will be how we improve tomorrow in preparation for Sunday against a tough Texas A&M team.” 

Damion Rosser returned from injury and led all players with 11 points and eight rebounds in the first half. TDR finished with 15 points and nine boards, and Lamont Berzat, a favorite of the BYUtv broadcasters, matched Rosser’s 15 points as the New Orleans native went 5-of-8 from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from deep.

BYU 86, New Orleans 61

Records: BYU (2-0), New Orleans (0-1)

Location: Marriott Center (Provo, Utah)

KEY MOMENTS  

• Rosser averaged a career-high 11.3 points in seven games last season, and the redshirt junior came out carrying the Privateers offensively.
• Berzat’s three at the 14:30 mark in the second cut the BYU lead to 11.
• A change of pace for BYU. The Cougars had six total turnovers last night and 18 tonight.

HOW IT HAPPENED  

• The Privateers scored five unanswered, capped by Berzat’s triple to go up 11-9 at the under-eight media.
• BYU went on a 9-0 run to regain the lead, 18-11, with 11:12 to go in the opening half.
• The Cougars led 41-27 after one.
• Rosser led all in the first half with 11 points and eight rebounds. TDR went 5-of-6 from the line in the stanza.
• The Privateers went 14-of-16 from the charity stripe in the first half to BYU’s 3-of-12.
• New Orleans and BYU went back and forth midway through the second as Berzat joined Rosser in double figures.

STATS 

• Rosser finished a rebound shy of his second career double-double.
• Berzat was the club leader in the second with 10 of his 15 points.
• Rodney Carson Jr. matched his career-high with three steals in two minutes.
• LaDarius Marshall pulled down four rebounds, as did Ahren Freeman.
• The team leader in assists was another newcomer, graduate student Derek St. Hilaire.
• The Privateers did not attempt many three-pointers, but were efficient, going 5-of-7 from long distance.
• Troy Green posted eight points and four rebounds but was limited because of foul trouble.
• BYU was balanced offensively, shooting 52 percent from the field for the game.
• A tale of two halves at the line for UNO as the Privateers went 8-of-16 from the charity stripe after shooting 87.5 percent in the first.
• Five Cougars reached double figures, led by Alex Barcello’s 19.
• BYU struggled from the line at just 38 percent.

GAME NOTES 

• New Orleans is 1-1 all-time against BYU.
• Tonight marked the first time Rosser, Berzat, Green, Myers and Freeman all started. The five had a combined 153 starts heading into the season opener.
• Berzat reached double figures in back-to-back games dating back to last season.
• Tonight was Rosser’s 23^rd game in double figures.
• Green has started 51 consecutive games and 96 of his 97 career games.
• With his four free throws, Green moved into the top 10 all-time in free throws made with 280. Next up at No. 9 is Gabe Corchiani (289).
• Larry Robinson III made his Privateer return after redshirting the 2019-20 season. Making their UNO debuts were Kmani Doughty (redshirted last season as well), St. Hilaire, Marshall, Jay Rodgers and Bol Tong.
• BYU received votes in both the AP and USA Today Polls, while receiving a No. 3 nod in the College Mid-Major Poll.

UP NEXT 

The Privateers head to the Lone Star State to take on former head coach Buzz Williams and Texas A&M Sunday at 2 p.m. at Reed Arena. The game will be streamed on SEC Network +

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