BYU basketball: Matt Carlino scores big in first half

Provo • Matt Carlino hasn't really gone anywhere, but he did return to his early season form on Saturday night for the BYU Cougars.

Carlino, benched three games ago in favor of Skyler Halford, came off the bench in the first half against Loyola Marymount and gave the Cougars an offensive lift.

The junior made his first four shots and first three free throws for 12 quick points in the first half, helping the Cougars stay close when the starters were struggling to score.

Same starters

For the second straight game, BYU coach Dave Rose started Kyle Collinsworth, Halford, Tyler Haws, Nate Austin and Josh Sharp.

Freshman forward Eric Mika dressed for the game, but did not play in the first half.

It was the third straight start for Halford, who replaced Carlino in the lineup at shooting guard when this homestand began last week against San Diego.

Halford averaged 23 points and two assists in his first two starts.

He played just 11 minutes two weeks ago in BYU's 87-76 loss at LMU, scoring five points on 2-of-2 shooting.

Flint returns

Former Davis High star Chase Flint saw some playing time Saturday night for the Loyola Marymount, checking in just three minutes into the game when starter Nick Stover picked up his second foul. Flint then made a baseline jumper. The junior from Fruit Heights began his career at USU-Eastern in Price before transferring to LMU.

The communications major entered the game averaging 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds for the Lions. He has played in all 18 games for LMU this season, getting 22.2 minutes per game.

Briefly

For the third time this season and second straight Saturday night, Glen Mayberry officiated a BYU basketball game. One of those games was BYU's 100-96 overtime loss at Oregon. … Saturday night's game served as a tiebreaker of sorts because the Cougars and Lions had each one four games in the series entering the game.

drew@sltrib.com

Twitter: @drewjay