PROVO -- The BYU men's basketball team gave Cougar fans a glimpse of what to expect from its 2007-08 squad when the team split in half to participate in a full-length scrimmage on Wednesday at the annual Cougar Tipoff.

2007 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year Jonathan Tavernari led the White team to a 77-64 victory with a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds.

"I'm pleased with Jonathan [Tavernari]," said head coach Dave Rose. "He shot the ball well."

Other players for the White team included recently returned-missionary Chris Miles, Sam Burgess, Ben Murdock, Archie Rose, Nick Martineau, Matt Pinegar and Gavin MacGregor. The Blue team consisted of returning starters Lee Cummard and Trent Plaisted along with newcomers Jimmer Fredette, Chris Collinsworth, Lamont Morgan Jr., Michael Loyd Jr. and James Anderson.

A three-pointer by Burgess gave the White team its first points of the night to start the scrimmage. Collinsworth answered on the opposite end of the floor on the Blue team's next possession.

The threes continued to fall for the White team, however, totaling eight in the first half alone and giving the team a 38-29 lead going into the locker room.

The White team continued to dominate in the second half with its largest lead of 17 coming with 13:49 to play in the game.

With just under nine minutes to play in the second half the Blue team attempted its comeback, fueled by a three-pointer by Loyd. Fredette would go on to score the Blue team's next 14 points, bringing the score to 66-58.

"Jimmer [Fredette] really settled down in the second half and played with more confidence," said Rose. "I like our competitive spirit. We have some talented offensive players that can score baskets."

The Blue team's efforts would fall short, coming to within only six points.

During halftime Rose addressed the crowd, thanking the fans for their support and expressing his hopes for the team's upcoming season.

"These are terrific players with great character who work hard," said Rose. "Let's go win another championship!"

Also during the break, four Cougars were paired with fans to compete in a two-ball shooting competition. Points were awarded on baskets made from different spots on the floor. Cummard's team finished in first place with 27 points, followed by Tavernari, Murdock and Burgess.

Up next fans can watch the Cougars as they play in their first exhibition game against Laval University on Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Center.

Official Basketball Box Score
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Official Basketball Box Score
BYU Blue vs BYU White
10/24/07 7 p.m. at Marriott Center, Provo, Utah
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VISITORS: BYU Blue
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
32 FREDETTE, Jimmer.... f  6-12   2-5    2-2    1  1  2   1  16  2  0  0  1  25
41 COLLINSWORTH, Chris. f  1-7    1-2    0-2    2  7  9   1   3  1  0  0  0  34
44 PLAISTED, Trent..... c  9-17   0-0    1-3    2  5  7   2  19  1  3  0  0  35
02 MORGAN, JR., Lamont. g  0-1    0-1    0-0    1  1  2   2   0  1  3  0  1  32
30 CUMMARD, Lee........ g  8-17   1-7    0-0    2  3  5   4  17  0  3  0  2  36
01 LOYD, JR., Michael..    3-7    1-4    0-0    0  3  3   2   7  5  0  0  1  27
50 ANDERSON, James.....    1-2    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   2  0  1  0  0  11
   TEAM................                         2  2  4
   Totals..............   28-63   5-19   3-7   10 22 32  12  64 10 10  0  5 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 13-30 43.3%   2nd Half: 15-33 45.5%   Game: 44.4%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  2-8  25.0%   2nd Half:  3-11 27.3%   Game: 26.3%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  1-3  33.3%   2nd Half:  2-4  50.0%   Game: 42.9%    1
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HOME TEAM: BYU White
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
45 TAVERNARI, Jonathan. f 11-21   5-12   0-0    3  9 12   1  27  2  3  1  1  32
54 MILES, Chris........ c  6-11   1-1    0-0    2  2  4   1  13  3  1  2  0  27
20 BURGESS, Sam........ g  5-7    4-5    2-2    2  4  6   0  16  6  3  0  1  32
24 MURDOCK, Ben........ g  3-5    2-3    0-0    0  1  1   0   8  3  1  0  0  27
05 ROSE, Archie........ *  0-4    0-3    0-2    1  6  7   2   0  0  2  0  1  19
14 MARTINEAU, Nick.....    2-3    1-1    0-0    0  2  2   1   5  2  1  0  0  25
21 PINEGAR, Matt.......    1-3    1-3    2-2    0  0  0   0   5  0  0  0  0  17
53 MACGREGOR, Gavin....    1-2    0-0    1-6    1  3  4   5   3  0  2  1  1  21
   TEAM................                            1  1
   Totals..............   29-56  14-28   5-12   9 28 37  10  77 16 13  4  4 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 15-29 51.7%   2nd Half: 14-27 51.9%   Game: 51.8%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  8-13 61.5%   2nd Half:  6-15 40.0%   Game: 50.0%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  0-0   0.0%   2nd Half:  5-12 41.7%   Game: 41.7%    3
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Officials:
Technical fouls: BYU Blue-None. BYU White-None.
Attendance: 3095
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
BYU Blue......................   29   35  -   64
BYU White.....................   38   39  -   77
Cougar Tipoff

First Look at Cougar Basketball Wednesday in the Marriott Center

PROVO -- Cougar fans can get their first look at this season's BYU men's basketball team Wednesday at the annual Cougar Tipoff. The event is free to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Center.

"This is a great opportunity for fans to have some fun, see the men's team play and hear from Coach Rose," BYU Marketing Director David Almodova said. "The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event is general admission so everyone has an equal chance at getting the best seats in the house. We're looking forward to having a great atmosphere in the Marriott Center."

Cougar Tipoff features a full-length men's team scrimmage, a two-ball shooting contest and meet-the-team autograph signings for both the men's and women's teams with free team posters. Prizes will be awarded during the night, including a Trek Mountain Bike from Mad Dog Cycles.

"Our guys are working hard to prepare for the season," BYU men's basketball coach Dave Rose said. "I believe our fans will enjoy watching this team play. We will be aggressive and play with a lot of passion."

The night will begin with men's team introductions before Coach Rose splits his squad into two teams for the first half of the running-clock scrimmage. During the 15-minute halftime, the women's team will be introduced followed by a two-ball shooting contest pairing four men's players and four fans. The men's team will then return for the second half of the blue-white contest.

After the game, BYU men's and women's players will meet with fans and sign autographs on the court.

The men's team finished last season ranked No. 24 in the final Associated Press Poll and is the preseason favorite to repeat as Mountain West Conference champions. The women's team is also coming off an MWC championship season and is picked among the top three preseason favorites this year under the direction head coach Jeff Judkins.