Freshman Egor Demin scored 20 points with seven assists to lead BYU (2-0) to an 86-80 win over UC Riverside (0-2) on Friday night in Provo, Utah.
Keba Keita, a transfer from Utah, compiled a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, Fousse Traore added 13 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots, and Richie Saunders chipped in 12 points and six boards to help BYU win at home for the second time this week.
Freshman Kanon Catchings contributed nine points, five rebounds and a key steal in the final minute.
Kaleb Smith topped UC Riverside with 20 points, including three 3s and a 9-for-10 performance from the free-throw line. Nate Pickens added 18 points, while Barrington Hargress and Isaiah Moses each scored 16.
BYU shot 53.2 percent from the field, including Demin’s 8-for-11 outing. The 18-year-old led the Cougars in scoring for the second time.
BYU only made 6 of 22 3-pointers (27.3 percent) and 14 of 26 free throws (53.8 percent) to help the Highlanders keep it close.
UC Riverside whittled a 17-point deficit down to single digits after Pickens capped a 7-0 run with a layup.
Smith brought UCR within seven from the free-throw line with 2:53 remaining. The Highlanders had a chance to pull within four but missed a 3.
Demin made a terrific drive-and-dish to Keita for a dunk and a nine-point advantage with 1:19 left. Catchings then made a critical steal to seal the win.
BYU scored the first six points and increased its lead to 16-3 by going on a 10-0 run following a UCR 3-pointer.
Moses hit a pair of 3s during a 17-4 surge as the Highlanders tied the score, 20-20.
BYU outscored UCR 11-4 in the final four minutes, including a late left-handed dunk by Demin, for a 40-33 halftime lead.
Demin sparked a 7-0 run to open the second half with a jumper and 3-pointer as BYU went ahead by 14.
Catchings gave the Cougars their biggest lead, 56-39, with a dunk with 13:33 remaining.
–Field Level Media
