Tommy Kuhse poured in a season-high 25 points as Saint Mary s handed BYU its fifth loss in the last seven games 69-64 at McKeon Pavilion in Moraga, California.
Pope said the team was set to "write the greatest comeback story ever" following the losing streak, and this Saturday against Saint Mary's directly determines how long that story will last.
Several notable Black athletes have led the way throughout the history of BYU athletics, including most recently the first BYU men's basketball starting lineup to ever feature four Black players against Loyola Marymount on Feb. 10.
Thursday s lineup broke several barriers, including what is believed to be the first time in BYU basketball history that all five starters were not members of university s sponsoring faith.