Alex Barcello Buries Pair Of Three-Pointers, Helps BYU Tie Pepperdine At Halftime

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – BYU guard Alex Barcello buried a pair of three-pointers during the final minutes of the second half to help the Cougars to a halftime tie with the Pepperdine Waves.

The No. 2 Cougars and No. 3 Waves played in the WCC semifinal game at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, March 8.

With 2:32 left in the opening half, Barcello connected from beyond the arc to cut Pepperdine’s lead to 31-25.

. @AlexBarcello23 ➡️ #MACU3

Cougs down 33-30. pic.twitter.com/YM5FJGcEXN

— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) March 9, 2021

Less than two minutes later, the senior guard drilled another triple to make it a 35-33 lead for the Waves.

It appears as if we have ourselves a ballgame 🧐@AlexBarcello23 evens the score for @BYUbasketball!@UCU_LA #WCChoops Tournament pic.twitter.com/gNChrmmlDw

— WCC Basketball (@WCChoops) March 9, 2021

BYU center Richard Harward made a layup seven seconds later to tie the game at 35 apiece.

After a slow start where BYU found itself down by 11 points, Barcello helped the Cougars comeback.

#BYU closes the first half on a 13-4 run.

All tied up at the half.#BYUhoops #GoCougs #WCChoops pic.twitter.com/biZIx6Zm6e

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 9, 2021

At the halftime break, Barcello led the Cougars with eight points on 3-7 shooting, including 2-3 from the outside. He added four rebounds and one assist during the opening 20 minutes of action.

Battling in Vegas ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/14Ljqnb32A

— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) March 9, 2021

Kessler Edwards led the Waves with 13 points.

The Cougars held Pepperdine star Colbey Ross to only six points.

BYU’s game against Pepperdine is broadcast on ESPN2 and KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM.