Bryant helps BYU holds off Pepperdine 75-70 in OT

Feb 16, 2018, 05:53 am

MALIBU, Calif. -- Elijah Bryant scored nine of his 25 points in overtime and BYU held off upset-minded Pepperdine 75-70.

After Colbey Ross scored on a layup for Pepperdine with seven seconds left to send the game to overtime tied at 64, Bryant took over. The junior guard hit two free throws to give the Cougars (21-7, 10-5 West Coast Conference) a 66-64 lead 45 seconds into the extra period. Darnell Dunn answered with two free throws and a layup to give the Waves (4-23, 1-14) a 68-66 lead, but Luke Worthington sank a game-tying jumper and Bryant added a 3-point play to give the Cougars a 71-68 lead with 55 seconds remaining. Eric Cooper Jr.'s bucket pulled Pepperdine within a point, but Bryant sank a jumper and two free throws in the final 12 seconds to help BYU prevail.

Yoeli Childs tallied 18 points and six rebounds and Bryant added eight boards for BYU.

Trae Berhow had 12 points to pace the Waves, who lost their sixth straight game since a 71-70 win over Loyola Marymount for their only WCC win. Ross added 11 points, Dunn scored 10 and Matthew Atewe grabbed 11 rebounds.