Remember When... BYU Beat Utah After Trailing by 21?

In the last regular season home game of their careers, seniors Matt Montague and Eric Nielsen combined to put the finishing touches on an unforgettable comeback victory over rival Utah at the Marriott Center on Feb. 23, 2002. The 63-61 win extended BYU’s home winning streak to 35 games.

BYU trailed the Utes 43-26 at the half and 47-26 early in the second half. The Cougars then flipped the switch and went on a 24-5 run to come within two at 52-50 with 7:26 remaining. It was a back-and-forth battle from then on and just when it seemed Utah might pull away, Montague hit a three with 1:18 left in the game to bring BYU within one, 61-60. Then, with 25 seconds remaining, Montague assisted the game winner — Nielsen’s eight-foot jumper with 25 seconds remaining that gave the Cougars their only lead of the day.

Montague’s assist not only helped win the game, but it also tied Cougar legend Danny Ainge for BYU’s all-time career assist record. He finished the game with seven points and seven dimes while Travis Hansen posted a game-high 17 points and seven rebounds. Nielsen added 11 points and four boards.

It was a fitting way for Montague and Nielsen to end their BYU careers as both were freshman on the 1996-97 team that went 1-25. Both left on two-year missions following that season and Steve Cleveland began the rebuilding process. When they returned for the 1999-2000 season, Montague and Nielsen helped BYU to the NIT Tournament in 2000 and 2002 and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2001.

CLICK HERE for coverage of the game in the Daily Herald.

CLICK HERE for a complete recap and the box score.

Remember When... Series

Every weekday from Oct. 15 to Nov. 11, BYUCougars.com will remember some of the great moments, players and events in BYU basketball history. A new installment to the series will be posted every weekday until the 2010-11 men’s basketball season opener against Fresno State on Nov. 12.