Sydney Benally’s record-setting night carries BYU to blowout win over Alabama A&M in WBIT first round
The BYU men’s basketball team could have used Sydney Benally in its first-round NCAA Tournament game against Texas on Thursday night.
Lee Cummard’s team was happy they were in Provo and not Portland, however.
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Benally matched her career high with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and set BYU’s freshman record for assists in a season by leading the Cougars to a 72-47 victory over Alabama A&M at the Marriott Center in the first round of the women’s basketball invitational tournament.
“I think we came in as a team, we just wanted to prove that we deserve to continue to play in the playoffs,” Benally said in a postgame interview on BYU Radio.
“We just have that mentality to keep playing hard and keep playing for each other.”
With the win, the Cougars (23-11) will host a second-round WBIT matchup against Missouri next Monday. The Tigers beat Seton Hall on Thursday to advance.
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BYU, which was the first team outside the NCAA Tournament bubble, didn’t let the disappointment of missing the NCAAs affect how it started its WBIT opener.
Even though the Cougars hadn’t played in two weeks since a Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal loss to TCU, they took a 12-4 lead against Alabama A&M and led 20-13 after one period.
Cummard, BYU’s first-year coach, said he was worried about the psychological aspect, after narrowly missing the NCAAs, but his team “was focused” from the jump.
“We just wanted to come out really strong, and I think now that we’re in this thing, the juices are flowing and we’re ready to go,” Cummard said on BYU Radio.
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“They showed it tonight and with the overall effort, (we) did some really good things to start and we kind of kept going the whole game.”
That start set the tone, as the Cougars outscored the Bulldogs in every quarter, including a 36-20 run in the second and third quarters as they pulled away.
Although it wasn’t a perfect night – for example, BYU turned the ball over 17 times – the Cougars had the advantage in the majority of categories.
BYU outshot the Bulldogs 49-32, shot 46.9% from the field while holding Alabama A&M to 29.6% and outscored the visitors 8-4 on 3-pointers.
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The Cougars also dominated fast break points, 16-2.
Benally’s effort led the way on a night where BYU had four players in double figures. She added five assists, three rebounds and two steals.
“She got us going from the start. She’s always a very decisive passer and makes great passes and she did that again tonight,” Cummard said of Benally.
“But the confidence and poise that she was shooting the 3 ball with tonight really got us going, kept her going and just got us off to a good start and (we) rode her for a little while and then everyone got on board.”
When Benally assisted a Brinley Cannon 3 just 3:24 into the game, she set the freshman record for assists, surpassing Shaylee Gonzales’ old record of 134.
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“It’s because of my teammates. They get open and knock away the shot and it shows that I’m a selfless basketball player,” Benally said.
“…I just want anything for the win. I’m looking at my teammates first.”
With her five assists Thursday, Benally stands at 139 on the year and is poised to add to that total for as long as BYU’s playoff run lasts.
The goalie also set another freshman record with her 34th start of the season.
“Availability (is) such a huge thing and it’s just been great,” Cummard said, while adding that Benally had been playing through injury for most of the season.
“She’s great for the group and I’m glad she did that and played fantastic tonight.”
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In addition to Benally’s record-breaking night, senior forward Lara Rohkohl added 13 points, five rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal.
Additionally, guards Delaney Gibb (11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one block, one steal) and Olivia Hamlin (10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals) contributed across the board.
Having an extra game at home also lent itself to a special moment for senior Hattie Ogden. After not scoring on senior night in BYU’s home finale in late February, Ogden made two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, which was met with adulation from the crowd.
Alabama A&M (22-11) was led by Kalia Walker, a first-team HBCU All-American. She had 20 points, two rebounds and a steal in the loss.
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Now BYU’s focus is on Missouri and a rare opportunity to host an SEC team.
“I think again (we’re) fortunate to still be playing on our home field, just having home field advantage and having our community come out and support us,” Benally said.
“Once again, we are excited to continue to progress in this tournament.”
