PROVO — In the last couple of games for BYU, the hoop has been looking as big as Utah Lake in the first half.
Last Saturday in an 84-50 thumping of Santa Clara, the Cougars shot 79 percent (19 of 24) in the first half. Thursday, BYU continued its torrid first-half shooting against Loyola Marymount, knocking down 67 percent of its shots (16 of 24) and hitting 5 of its first 6 3-pointers as the Cougars led by as many as 22 over the opening 20 minutes.
Guard Elijah Bryant, who led BYU with a game-high 29 points — tying his season high — scored 20 in the first half, including 4 of 6 from distance.