Not pretty, but BYU gets by Weber State in Overtime By Mitch Section: BasketballPosted on Sun Dec 03, 2006 at 12:22:44 AM EDT  Going to the Dee Events Center to play Weber State is always a tough game, and the Wildcats always give BYU their best performance and tonight was no different. There were 17 ties in tonight's contest, the largest lead for BYU was only five points. BYU just couldn't pull away from the pesky Wildcats who were lights out to start the second half from behind the three point line. BYU had the final possession in regulation with 13.6 seconds left, but nothing ever developed resulting in a long 3-point attempt by Rashaun Broadus which hit the back of the rim, sending the game to Overtime. This was BYUs second Overtime game this season, both of which have came against Big Sky opponents the other being Idaho State. BYU came out firing in Overtime with a coast to coast layup by Lee Cummard where he was fouled and made the foul shot putting BYU up by three. With 2:32 left Weber State tied it up with a Free Throw, then a offensive rebound with a running layup to tie it up at 67. KT had a nice three point play to put the score at 70-67 with 1:40 left. Weber State then knocked down a mid-range jumper to cut the lead within one. Then with 21.4 seconds left Broadus' layup attempt was knocked away while on the rim for a goaltending to make it a three point lead. Weber State then missed their attempt to tie it up, Plaisted got the board was fouled, knocked down one of his two free throw attempts, game over. BYU comes out of Ogden with a 73-69 win. This is the first time BYU has ever won an Overtime game against Weber State in Ogden, lost the previous four. Player of the Game Keena Young aka "KT" was simply outstanding tonight. Scoring 27 points, and pulling down 11 rebounds. Keena has been the most consistent player on this Cougar squad so far this season. The focus of this Cougar offense needs to shift to Keena. By far the best scorer around the basket for BYU and is a great offensive rebounder. Keena has elevated his game to another level. Keena's 27 points was the 3rd highest point total today in College Basketball the highest was Colorado State's Cory Lewis scoring 30 on Kansas State. Point Austin Ainge had his worst shooting performance of the season tonight, only scoring 2 points. Rashaun Broadus who started off slow in the first half, played really well in the 2nd finished with 10 points. Good to see Broadus starting to build his confidence. Ben Murdock saw a few minutes in the first half, and had a nice outlet pass off a steal to lead to a easy fast break bucket. The down side to the Point was how Weber State was lights out from behind the 3-point line early in the 2nd half knocking down seven straight 3-pointers. Grade: B Wing Lee Cummard is starting to come into his own. Cummard had 12 points and played alot of minutes, Cummard utilizes his length very well and finds ways rather than scoring to make an impact for the team. Finally starting to live up to his hype coming into BYU. Jimmy Balderson had 7 points, five of which came on back-to-back possesions. Jonathan Tavernari saw some minutes early in the first half, and was making plays with 2 steals, and 2 points. Tavernari is an athletic player, happy to see he isn't redshirting. Grade: A- Post Already went over KT's big night. As for Trent Plaisted finally wasn't in foul trouble tonight, only recording one foul in the first half. But Plaisted couldn't find his rhythm at all tonight on the offensive end. Had a nice throw down jam to get his first field goal. But had another opportunity to get a dunk and he lost the handle. I really think having the offense focus on getting the ball to Young will ease some pressure off of Plaisted who continuosly gets double and triple teamed and he is struggling right now, but he will find his groove. He will get it going, but I was happy to see he was playing smarter avoiding fouls. Grade: B+ A solid win tonight, that was much needed to get this team's confidence up. Whenever you win a road game in Collge Basketball its always a good victory. BYU is now 4-2, 1-2 on the road. Next Up: San Jose State, Wednesday at home on the mtn. |