Fourth-seeded San Francisco fell earlier Saturday at home to Loyola Marymount, ensuring the Cougars would get the third seed regardless of how they fared on Senior Night.
But knocking off the rugged, physical Toreros 87-73 supplied BYU (11-5, 19-12) the momentum it will need for the tournament after it had lost its previous two games. An added bonus: Saint Mary’s (11-5, 20-11) lost 69-55 to No. 1 Gonzaga late Saturday, meaning BYU tied the Gaels for second place.
“Yeah, for sure,” said junior forward Yoeli Childs. “Obviously we had two letdowns, but this team has been through so much adversity, and through so many challenges, that we know who we are.