TUCSON -- The BYU men's tennis team finished its weekend road trip with a 5-2 loss to Arizona on Saturday, falling to 6-5 on the season.

Despite the loss, the Cougars were able to come away with the doubles point to begin the match, something they had previously done only twice this season. Cassidy Mears and Evan Urbina defeated Andres Carrasco and Pat Metham 9-8 (6) and were soon followed by Thomas Shubert and Daniel Hwang's 8-5 win.

"Winning the doubles point was a big breakthrough for us," said Cougar head coach Brad Pearce. "We just need to get in a better condition to be ready for those opportunities when we get the doubles point against a good team so we can finish it. It's encouraging. The guys are getting better."

In singles action, Tom Young dropped a 6-1, 6-1 match to Metham to even the score. Arizona won the next three matches, including No. 79 Jay Goldman's 6-3, 6-2 win over Jonathan Sanchez, clinching the victory for the Wildcats.

The Cougars lone singles win came at the hands of Evan Urbina. The freshman successfully defeated Ravid Hazi 6-3, 6-3 at the No. 5 position.

"I was proud of [Urbina]," said Pearce. "He came out and got the first win for us. It was good for him to get back on track."

Up next the Cougars return home and host Cal Poly and Montana State next weekend.

No. 48 Arizona - 5
Brigham Young - 2
March 1, 2008
Singles
#79 Goldman UA def. Sanchez BYU; 6-3, 6-2
Carrasco UA def. Schubert BYU; 4-6, 6-2, 10-8
Alcala UA def. Mears BYU; 6-3, 6-1
Zimmer UA def. Hwang BYU; 6-2, 6-3
Urbina BYU def. Hazi UA; 6-3, 6-3
Metham UA def. Young BYU; 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
Christen / Goldman UA def. Young / Schubert BYU; 8-4
Schubert / Hwang BYU def. Alcala / Hazi UA; 8-5
Mears / Urbina BYU def. Metham / Carrasco UA; 9-8 (6)
Order of Finish
Doubles: 1, 3, 2
Singles: 6, 4, 3, 1*, 5, 2

PROVO -- The BYU men's tennis team (6-3) hits the road again this weekend, traveling to take on a pair of ranked opponents in Arizona State and Arizona on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

No. 33 Arizona State is looking to maintain its undefeated record (5-0) as it hosts BYU in Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils are coming off an unexpected weekend break after their matches against UCLA and USC were cancelled due to rain. Matt Brooklyn and John Nanosky II are currently undefeated in dual match singles play.

The No. 48-ranked Wildcats of Arizona plan to conclude their non-conference schedule this weekend. The Cats lead the all-time series between the two schools 21-7. In their last meeting in 2004, Arizona beat BYU 7-0. The Cats are off to their best start at 8-2 dating back unto the 2000-01. Likewise, it is Coach Tad Berkowitz's best start during his tenure as head coach.

The Cougars' weekend matches are both scheduled for 1:30 p.m. MT.