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PROVO -- BYU held off a strong charge from San Diego State in the waning minutes of the game to survive with a 77-71 win Saturday in the Marriott Center.

“We played a full game,” said BYU head coach Dave Rose. “We played consistently throughout the 40 minutes. We played as a team, and we competed.”

Hot shooting helped the Cougars control the first half. BYU shot 59 percent (16-of-27) compared to 41 percent for SDSU. The team out-rebounded the Aztecs 19-11 in the first twenty minutes. The Cougars took a 41-32 lead into the locker room at half time.

BYU’s strong shooting continued through the second half, but San Diego State heated up as well, and closed to within four, 70-66, on a dunk and free-throw by SDSU’s Medhi Cheriet.

Jonathan Tavernari hit a three-pointer with 1:30 left in the game to put BYU up by seven, 73-66. The Atzecs kept the pressure on, but were not able to close the gap.

San Diego State’s Lorrenzo Wade had 18 points to lead all scorers, and Lee Cummard had a game-high 10 rebounds to go with his 16 points, tied for a Cougar team high with Tavernari. The double-double was Cummard’s second of the season. Lamont Morgan, Jr., tied a career-high with 12 points.

As a team, the Cougars shot 28-of-50 (56 percent). They turned nine Aztec turnovers into 12 points. BYU shot 11-of-21 (52 percent) from behind the three-point line. The Cougars finished the game 10-of-12 on free throws (83 percent).

In the winning effort BYU’s record improves to 15-4 (3-2, MWC) while San Diego State drops to 13-5 (3-2, MWC).

BYU next heads up on the hill to face off against in-state rival Utah on Tues., Jan. 27 at 8 p.m in the first Deseret Duel game for the men this season. The game will be broadcast live on The Mtn. and KSL Radio.

The Cougars then return home to the Marriott Center and host the Wyoming Cowboys on Sat., Jan. 31 at 4:00 p.m. The Mtn. and KSL will broadcast the game.

CLICK HERE for postgame notes and quotes.

Official Basketball Box Score
San Diego State vs BYU Cougars
1/24/09 7:05 at Marriott Center, Provo, Utah
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VISITORS: San Diego State 13-5, 3-2 MWC
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
03 WILLIAMS, Richie.... *  3-8    2-2    1-2    1  5  6   1   9  6  3  0  5  34
15 SPAIN, Kyle......... *  2-5    1-3    0-0    1  1  2   3   5  1  1  0  0  16
31 WADE, Lorrenzo...... *  7-18   2-3    2-2    0  2  2   3  18  1  2  0  1  34
32 WHITE, Billy........ *  2-2    0-0    1-2    1  1  2   1   5  2  0  1  0  22
43 AMOROSO, Ryan....... *  1-4    0-0    2-4    1  0  1   0   4  0  0  0  0  16
21 THOMAS, Matt........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   2   0  1  0  0  0   7
23 GAY, D.J............    1-5    1-3    2-2    0  0  0   3   5  2  0  0  2  29
24 SHELTON, Tim........    4-9    0-0    3-4    1  1  2   2  11  1  2  0  0  23
42 CHERIET, Mehdi......    6-8    1-3    1-1    1  2  3   0  14  0  1  0  0  19
   TEAM................                         2  3  5
   Totals..............   26-59   7-14  12-17   8 16 24  15  71 14  9  1  8 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 12-29 41.4%   2nd Half: 14-30 46.7%   Game: 44.1%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  3-7  42.9%   2nd Half:  4-7  57.1%   Game: 50.0%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  5-8  62.5%   2nd Half:  7-9  77.8%   Game: 70.6%    2
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HOME TEAM: BYU Cougars 15-4, 3-2 MWC
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
30 CUMMARD, Lee........ f  6-11   3-4    1-2    1  9 10   2  16  6  4  1  0  38
45 TAVERNARI, Jonathan. f  5-10   4-7    2-2    0  4  4   2  16  3  1  1  1  36
54 MILES, Chris........ c  3-3    0-0    2-3    1  0  1   4   8  1  1  0  0  24
04 EMERY, Jackson...... g  3-9    2-5    1-1    0  5  5   1   9  2  1  0  1  27
32 FREDETTE, Jimmer.... g  3-6    0-3    2-2    1  5  6   0   8  4  4  0  1  27
01 ABOUO, Charles......    1-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   2  0  1  0  0   2
02 MORGAN, JR., Lamont.    4-5    2-2    2-2    0  0  0   1  12  5  3  0  0  28
15 ANDERSON, James.....    2-3    0-0    0-0    1  0  1   3   4  0  1  2  0   7
34 HARTSOCK, Noah......    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   0   0  1  0  0  1   4
53 MACGREGOR, Gavin....    1-1    0-0    0-0    1  1  2   3   2  0  1  0  0   7
   TEAM................                         1  4  5
   Totals..............   28-50  11-21  10-12   6 29 35  16  77 22 17  4  4 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 16-27 59.3%   2nd Half: 12-23 52.2%   Game: 56.0%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  4-9  44.4%   2nd Half:  7-12 58.3%   Game: 52.4%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  5-5  100 %   2nd Half:  5-7  71.4%   Game: 83.3%    1
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Officials: Mike Reed, Shawn Lehigh, Bobby McRoy
Technical fouls: San Diego State-None. BYU Cougars-None.
Attendance: 13871
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
San Diego State...............   32   39  -   71
BYU Cougars...................   41   36  -   77
Points in the paint-SDSU 22,BY 24. Points off turnovers-SDSU 20,BY 12.
2nd chance points-SDSU 9,BY 11. Fast break points-SDSU 6,BY 2.
Bench points-SDSU 30,BY 20. Score tied-1 time. Lead changed-2 times.
Last FG-SDSU 2nd-00:18, BY 2nd-01:30.
Largest lead-SDSU by 1 1st-17:32, BY by 12 1st-07:16.

BYU GAME #19 FAST FACTS

BYU (14-4, 2-2)

vs.

SDSU (13-4, 3-1)

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009

Marriott Center (22,700)

Provo, Utah

7 p.m. MT

Coaches

BYU, Dave Rose (86-30 in fourth season; same overall)

SDSU, Steve Fisher (160-134 in 10th season; 344-215 in 18th season overall)

Series

BYU leads, 42-21, including a 2-1 record last season

TV

The Mtn. (Rich Cellini, play-by-play; Joe Cravens, game analysis)

Radio

KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM/1160 AM) and the Cougar Sports Network (6 p.m. MT pregame show - Greg Wrubell, play-by-play; Mark Durrant, game analysis)

Web

Live audio and live stats links are available on the basketball schedule page at www.byucougars.com/basketball_m/

Cougars Look to Bounce Back Against San Diego State

BYU (14-4, 2-2) will look to get back on track after back-to-back conference losses when the Cougars host San Diego State (13-4, 3-1) on Saturday in the Marriott Center at 7 p.m. The Cougars will aim to regain their home-court dominance in MWC play after suffering their first home conference loss — Dave Rose’s first since becoming head coach — since 2005. The Cougars have won three-straight in the Marriott Center against the Aztecs. Saturday’s game can be heard live on the radio beginning with the pregame show at 6 p.m. MT on KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM out of Salt Lake City or via the Internet at KSL.com. The game will be televised live on The Mtn.

Up Next

BYU will play in-state rival Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Hunstman Center at 8 p.m. MT. BYU owns a four-game winning streak over the Utes including a 67-59 win in Salt Lake in 2008. Follow the game on www.byucougars.com and listen live on the radio beginning with the pregame show at 7 p.m. MT on KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM out of Salt Lake City or via the Internet at KSL.com. The game will be televised live on The Mtn.

Cougar Quick Hits

— Lee Cummard is now 16th all-time in scoring at BYU with 1,320 points. He is 18 points from passing Marty Haws for 15th. Jonathan Tavernari is 46 points from reaching 1,000 for his career.

— BYU’s school record 53 game home winning streak ended with a 94-87 loss to Wake Forest.

— Two-time MWC Coach of the Year Dave Rose has guided BYU to three-straight 20-win seasons and three-straight postseason appearances. In his first season the Cougars were 20-9 and made a trip to the NIT. In his second campaign he guided the Cougars to the outright MWC title, a top-25 ranking, a trip to the NCAA Tournament and a 25-9 overall record. Last season he led BYU to a 27-8 overall record, a second-straight outright league title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. He has the best record through 110 games of any BYU basketball coach.

— BYU has been picked to finish second (five first-place votes) in the MWC preseason poll by the league’s media.

Looking at San Diego State

San Diego State is 13-4 overall and 3-1 in MWC action this season, including an 81-76 home win over New Mexico on Jan. 21. The Aztecs were picked to finish third in the conference in the preseason poll and are currently tied with Utah for second. San Diego State has conference wins over Air Force, Utah and New Mexico and its lone loss in MWC action came at Wyoming. The Aztecs average 69.2 points per game and shoot 44.5 percent while limiting opponents to 58.5 points (first in the conference) and 42.1 percent shooting from the field. San Diego State is first in the league in steals (8.3 per game), turnover margin and is third in rebounding margin. Kyle Spain leads the team in scoring (15.8) and three-point shooting (36 makes on 42.9 percent shooting). He is second in rebounds per game (5.2) behind Tim Shelton (5.6). Lorrenzo Wade is second on the team in scoring (11.8) while Richie Williams leads the Aztecs in assists (3.8 per game) and steals (2.1 per game). San Diego State is coached by Steve Fisher who has a 160-134 record (10th season) with the Aztecs and a 344-216 career mark (18th season).

SDSU’s Last Outing — Spain Rains 30 Points in Aztec Win

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Kyle Spain scored a career-high 30 points as San Diego State outlasted New Mexico 81-76 Wednesday for its seventh straight win.

The Aztecs (13-4, 3-1 Mountain West Conference) built a 13-point lead early in the second half, but New Mexico cut the lead to two twice in the final 1:17.

Lorrenzo Wade made four free throws in the final 34 seconds to seal the win. He finished with 17 points.

Phillip McDonald led New Mexico (11-8, 2-2) with 17 points and Tony Danridge added 14.

The Lobos trailed 66-53 with 16:13 left before rallying in the final minutes.

Series Notes

Saturday’s game will be the 64th meeting between BYU and San Diego State. The Cougars lead the all-time series 42-21 and won two of three last season against the Aztecs, including a 59-56 home win, a 69-65 loss on the road and a 63-54 win in the semifinals of the MWC tournament. The Cougars have won three-straight against San Diego State in the Marriott Center, dating back to a 100-90 win in 2006. In 2007 BYU won 80-58. BYU is 26-3 at home against the Aztecs.

1,000-Point Man

Including a career-high 36 points against Long Beach State and performances of 30 points against Weber State, 28 against Cal Poly and 26 at Tulsa, Lee Cummard now has 307 total points for the season and 1,320 for his career. He is now 16th all-time in scoring in BYU history and is 18 points from passing Marty Haws for 15th all-time.

Approaching 1,000 Points

Junior forward Jonathan Tavernari is fast approaching the 1,000-point club. Coming into the season he had 640 career points and with 314 points so far this season and 954 for his career, Tavernari is now 46 points from reaching 1,000 for his career.

Downtown Record Watch

With three treys against UNLV junior forward Jonathan Tavernari has 165 career threes, including 48 this season. He started the season with 117 and has passed Andy Toolson (141) and Mike Rose (163) and is now second all-time in school history in made threes. Tavernari also has 452 attempts from downtown, good for second all-time in school history. Lee Cummard has 136 threes for his career, six threes from passing Andy Toolson for fourth.

Top-10 Pick Pockets

With 16 steals this season Lee Cummard has climbed to ninth all-time in BYU history in career steals with 115. Cummard had 16 as a freshman, 50 as a sophomore and 33 last season. He is two steals from passing Mark Bigelow for eighth all-time. Jonathan Tavernari is also climbing the list with 34 thefts this season — including a career-high tying five vs. UNLV — and 100 for his career. He is now 11th all-time at BYU in steals.

The Conference Race

Under head coach Dave Rose the BYU men’s basketball has been known for its strong finishes in MWC action. Over the past three seasons the Cougars were a combined 9-6 in MWC games 1 through 5 and 30-3 in games 6 through 16 — 10-1 each season. So far this season BYU is 2-2 with game five coming up on Saturday against San Diego State at home. Rose is 41-11 (.788) in MWC action including 25-1 at home.