PROVO -- The BYU Men's Basketball team came out strong in the inaugural Cougar Tipoff Saturday night in the Marriott Center. In a full-length scrimmage, the Blue team pulled off a 53-46 win in front of 5,341 screaming Cougar fans.

Four Cougars, Luiz Lemes, Rafael Araujo, Mike Hall, and Mike Rose, scored in double figures. Lemes led all scorers with 16.

"Luiz (Lemes) I thought was the best player on the floor tonight," BYU coach Steve Cleveland said. "He was always in the right spot on the floor and played well defensively. He was really solid."

Mike Rose, a true freshman, also had a big night, scoring 13 points, including 3 three-pointers. Said Rose after the game, "It was great to get out here and play in front of all the fans." Senior leader Mark Bigelow seemed content to sit back and let his teammates shine, scoring only six points but playing hard and giving his team a strong presence all over the court.

Fans were treated to some entertaining match-ups as big boys Araujo and Jared Jensen battled it out in the low-post, each stacking up nine rebounds, while point guards Kevin Woodberry and Terry Nashif went head to head with Woodberry dishing out six assists and Nashif four.

In addition to featuring the Blue vs. White Scrimmage, Cougar Tipoff introduced both the men's and women's teams and included numerous contests and giveaways.

The men's and women's teams combined to compete in a Two-Ball Challenge. The shooting competition was won by sophomore forward Ambrosia Anderson and Bigelow, beating out junior guard Kali Taylor and Rose in the finals 27-26. Anderson's free-throw jumper at the horn sealed the deal.

A full student section in the Marriott Center was treated to games and special events before the scrimmage began, including a Sweet 16 Shootout, an XBOX Challenge, BYU Student Body President Dave Johnson dancing with the Cougarettes, and BYU's own American Idol Carmen Rasmussen as co-emcee of the event with KSL Radio's Greg Wrubell. A slam dunk exhibition by the men's players showcased their skills and drew huge roars from fans.

Overall, the team looked poised and ready for Thursday's exhibition game against the EA Sports All-Star team. The Cougars play a second exhibition on Nov. 11 before their Nov. 21st home opener against Southern Utah University.

Encouraged by the team's performance, Nashif offered his outlook on the season. "This should be a great year."

PROVO -- BYU fans will have their first chance to see the BYU basketball team in action this Saturday at the inaugural Cougar Tipoff in the Marriott Center.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with contests and giveaways for the fans beginning at 6:15 p.m. Emceed by KSL Newsradio 1160's Greg Wrubell, Cougar Tipoff will include a light show, contests and prizes, shooting and dunk contests, a full-length men's team scrimmage, free posters and an autograph signing party with the men's and women's teams. Carmen Rasmussen of American Idol fame also will take part in Cougar Tipoff.

BYU season ticket holders receive a ticket to Cougar Tipoff as part of the season ticket package. Students with All-Sport Cards will also be admitted. Otherwise, reserved-seat tickets can be purchased for $2 at the Marriott Center Ticket Office by calling 800-322-BYU1 or 378-BYU1 or online at BYUtickets.com.

"Cougar Tipoff combines two great events into one spectacular night of basketball for Cougar fans," BYU Athletics Marketing Director Tony Jewkes said. "We will have all the fun and giveaways we have had before but at a prime-time hour and in the Marriott Center where we can accommodate many more fans."

The first 5,000 fans will receive free drinks from Hogi Yogi and Teriyaki Stix. T-shirts, an XBOX system, a year supply of Coca-Cola, a motorized Geely Scooter courtesy of Ken Garff of Orem, and a mountain bike from Mad Dog Cycles are among the prizes to be given away.

The finals of a "Y Slamma Jamma," student slam-dunk competition, will also take center stage. The preliminary competition is being held Friday in the Wilkinson Center from Noon--1 p.m.

The men's and women's teams will be introduced and women's coach Jeff Judkins and men's coach Steve Cleveland will each address the crowd. The two teams will participate in a two-ball competition, teaming members from the men's and women's teams together similar to the NBA all-star weekend contest.

The men's team will put on a dunk exhibition prior to coach Cleveland splitting his squad into two teams for a 40-minute running-clock scrimmage. At halftime, the final grand-prize giveaways will be awarded. After the game, players from both teams will meet with fans and sign autographs. Team posters will be available.

"I believe this will be a great event for our team and for BYU fans," Cleveland said. "Not only will there be the traditional contests and giveaways but those attending will be able to see the team play in a 40-minute game instead of a 10-minute scrimmage. There will also be time for the fans to stay afterward and meet the players. We are grateful for the support of the community and our student body and hope this will be a fun evening for everyone."

The men's team had the largest average attendance increase in the nation last season. Overall, BYU averaged the 17th largest crowd in the country at 14,468. The men's and women's teams were both NCAA teams last year and most predict they will be back in the tournament this season.

Led by Preseason All-Mountain West Conference players and MWC Player of the Year candidates Mark Bigelow and Rafael Araujo, the men's team is considered the favorite to win the Mountain West Conference. The women's team is picked second behind Utah with a strong team headlined by Preseason All-MWC forward Danielle Cheesman.

"We look forward to this season," Judkins said. "We expect to compete for the conference title and believe our fans will enjoy watching us play. Cougar Tipoff is a good opportunity for people to get to know our team."