OCR Text |
Show DAILY Saturday, March 10. 2007 HERALD 2007 MWC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT a win It took a while to secure outcome, but a win's LAS VEGAS could use all the old You about BYUs victory over Wyoming in Friday's Mountain West Conference Tournament semifinals. How about, "It took so long to finish the game, you could have timed it with a sun dial," or, "The game was so slow, it ran like it had a piano on its back." On BYU Hoops Or, "That game was so stow, it would have taken two hours to watch 60 Minutes." mercury quick guards Bran- - v mildon Ewing and Brad Jones, a me now. I've got Stop and they scored 46 points belion of 'em. Thank Steve McClain, tween them. All of a sudden, it was a game. Wyoming's head coach. The The BYU fans that made the guy who flails on the sideline like a Muppet on eight cans of trip to Vegas, like their team, dominated the first 37 minutes. Red Bull convinced his team it could come back from 25 Wyoming had a lot of support did. it in the Thomas & Mack but the and down, nearly points The Cowboys got 38 shots for big BYU lead kept them sitting 96-8- 4 Darnell Dickson -- six-poi- Men ished Ainge was dismayed that the Cowboy guards drew so many Continued from CI fouls. "A lot of the time we're control," BYU coach Dave Rose said. "But we knew in the backpedaling, hands straight second half it would be a difup and they're forcing the ferent story." contact," Ainge said. "But give them credit, they never quit." Well, sort of. The Cowboys, a No. 5 seed Wyoming sure could have. BYU played what several playplaying on all sorts of belief ers called the best opening 10 after beating Air Force the previous night, never gave up. minutes of any game this seaNot their style, not with swash- son. It was worth putting on video and selling for instrucbuckling rowdy man Steve McClain roaming the sidelines, tional purposes, right away. By the team's locker room, Ainge every bit the same free spirit and maniac whether the game took a call from his dad and tried explaining the start. He was out of control or within reach. was way too modest. Cummard opened with BYU, meanwhile, let the bloated advantage slip away. a couple 3s, Plaisted had a It's the human-natur- e stretch of 11 consecutive points peril of in which he was spectacularly getting ahead so early. It was a ambidextrous. game McClain barked at the refs with 3:05 left after Brad Jones had a streaking, uncontested and his players, but he could of do no more than ride out the layup that sent two-thirstorm. BYU shot 60 percent the crowd into a frenzy. Like a prize fighter connected with from the field and made a sharp jab, the Cougars apIt scored a season-bes- t 54 points by halftime and peared a little shaken. But not deterred. led by 19. "You know what, I was "They're coming down just never that nervous," said Aus- pulling up from 3 and shooting 3s on the break, and they're tin Ainge, who had 16 points. "I think we just knew we had burying them," McClain said. to stay patient, get our shots or Thinking about it got Ainge make free throws." tingly. A similar performance There were plenty of opportunities for those. BYU attonight against UNLV in the 5 p.m. MT title game would tempted 45, making 29. Trent . make for Plaisted, who tied his career scintillating hoops. "We hit open shots, we were high with 27 points and 10 reHe also constantly attacking and movbounds, hit just went from the field. ing the ball," Ainge said, smilLee Cummard added a ing with a shake of his head. 21 points, seven career-bes- t "We were doing everything. rebounds and made from We played so well" the stripe. Wyoming finally made it a e A rebound and a game by lengthening it, makshot finally prodded the Pokes ing shots and forcing free into submission. throws to stop the clock. With Cummard took a missed so many Cowboy fans in attenfrom Mike Rose dance, quitting wasn't a choice. and turned it into a fingertip Jones' driving score cut it to putback. That was just after eight points with 3:40 left. That's when the crowd startWyoming was charged by the lead being cut to 1 1 points with ed to sound like MWC tourna5:20 left. ments of old. Denver the past About three minutes later, three years never felt an equal buzz in the sterile, desolate Rose, who finished with nine points, took an Ainge pass at Pepsi Center. It could've been louder and the top of the key maybe his and swished a stronger Friday night. Wyofavorite spot trey. He laughed by the locker ming pleaded for one more room afterward with teamspurt. mate Jimmy Balderson about The Cougars, while pleased how he had changed his brief with their overall effort, were celebration upon draining a appreciative that their nerves bomb. and stamina didn't have to be A little glitz in Vegas never tested further. "We're real fortunate we hurt, right? But the fact remains that the Cougars were played as well as we did in the first half," coach Rose said. gritty. Rose's shot, however, also offered relief to a confident team. I Rough night for the Wyoming "I've said this all year long, cheerleaders: Keena Young it's hard to win games," coach was probably the only Cougar Rose said. "Guys have to really who couldn't catch a break in the opening eight minutes. But compete. Ours wanted to." he did manage to accidentally They had to. Wyoming's cause one, leaving a Cowboy tandem guard line, Brandon cheerleader in a cast after hie Ewing and Jones, kept chal15 free created Jones lenging. stepped on her hand while chasthrow opportunities, making ing a loose ball on the baseline. 10. Ewing had 22 shots from Young's big feet also the field, making 10. Each had knocked another petite Poke in 23 points for a team that fin the knee, and the whole squad BYU 17-1- -- six-poi- long-rang- BYU Women mrsx f i- - Dor. 10-1- 0 I SovtJi Town Expo Corrtsr lindy Fishing 'Hunting 'Gear Atentn Travel VI "I drew up a little play that we haven't run the whole year because I knew Elaine (Utah coach Elaine Elliott) is so prepared that if I just ran a play she would know it," Judkins said. 'She (Wright) made me look smart as a coach because she scored it." Wright, the MWC scored six straight points in the paint before Utah called a timeout and BYU had the lead back at 4241. "You just tell yourself you're the best post player in there and you just need to do what you do best," Wright said, "I came in there with that fire and intensity. I just wanted to help my team." BYlrs experience seemed to be key factor down the , Sport Expouotn t dropped hot dog prices at the games to 25 cents. But still, a point win would have made a difference. BYU could have kept on the heat and put Wyoming so . far behind, there was no glimmer of hope. Then Dave Rose could have rested his starters and kept them a bit fresher for today's final It starts at 5 p.m. MT, which give the Cougars all of about 20 hours to recharge. The is a huge test for anyone, especially when it gets to face the hot 20-ph- is on their hands until the last three minutes, when they went absolutely bonkers. BYUs Lee Cummard said "things got loud and interesting at the end." When BYU seemed to weather that rally, McClain ordered his troops to foul on every possession, taking "extending the game" to a whole new level You would NEVER want seemed stunned as one was bruised and other other taken off the floor for treatment. To add insult to two injuries, their team trailed, 26-- at the time. Young did turn around and apologize before play continued. He was chasing an offensive rebound and hustled around a defender to knock the ball off him. BYU kept possession as Young sailed out of bounds. He finished with 12 points but hit just two of his first seven shots. The Wyoming cheerleaders were threatened a couple of more times by hustle. With 25 seconds left, Cowboy Brad Jones stumbled with the ball on a fast break and slid back-firinto the front stair leading into the stands behind the baseline. After a few nervous minutes, he walked off the floor. st Bring on the Rebels: BYU stayed wary of dissing Colorado State, but there's little doubt the team was not averse to playing UNLV on its home floor, and that is just what will happen after the Rebels defeated the Rams in the other 88-7- 2 MWC semifinal. Playing the Rebels at home, however, does offer some big risks possibly, the loss of a MWC tournament title, which BYU hasn't won since 2001, and a chance at a higher seed in next week's NCAA tournament. Winning the tournament title is obvious the best thing for the higher seeding, and there was an obvious, if unspoken, feeling that playing the No. Rams, who BYU also split with this season, offered a better chance of the win. But BYU, a sure thing for the NCAA tournament, also knew it could play loose against the second-seede- Reb- d els, who would be feeling the pressure of winning at home. "And it'd be a great environment," Mike Rose said. "Two big crowds and two really good teams going at it." 84 BYU 96, WYOMING WY0MMG FT -5 4- - 9 Taylor Brawn Jorw Spencer 38 Ewing Otoye Dermody 39 6 6 22 Pf A TP 5 0 9 8 23 5 21 nm Nelson 0 0 3 11 3 Songondo Team 13 0 Totals 36 8 29 13 84 PF A TP 2 4 3 21 0 0 9 0 0 Ml (8-7- ) M 31 Ffi 36 3 2 Ainge 31 20 33 44 4 toderson Young Plaisted Cummard Rose 4 8 9 0 Burgess Murdock Tawnari FT 2 16 1 0 14 5 Team Totals 29-- 2M6 42 x ru 64 MI goats to get behind McClain in the checkout line at the grocery store, or on the back nine at the local golf course. You might not ever make it home. BYU cooperated by missing some free throws, turning the ball over and generally failing to put the final nail in a coffin it built with 29-- first-hal- f start. BYU was almost perfect for 12 minutes, then was merely 6 Wyoming PMt sponcar Ewing BaMeraon Cummam II 14 96 64 66 42 (Tiyttr BYU Rosa Jongs Uiigt itnm Taraeaart: Wyoming 15 (Tiyw, Brown. Jonas apsncer J. twng J, usova. nail), tmj 13 (Young Plaisted 2. Aings 2. BaMsrson, Cummard 4, Rose, Burgus) tlooxa: Wyoming 5 (Taylor 3, Oknya 2). BYU 7 (Your Planted 3, Tevsmarl 3) tan Wyoming 6 Taylor. Jonas 4. Ewing), BYU 10 (Pawled 2, AJnga 2, BaWerson 2, Cummard 3, Burgess) A WK 3. 2. Jason Franchuk DAILY HERALD In a fitting tribute to Nascar weekend in Las Vegas, BYU trainer Carolyn Billings helped one of the Cougars stay active after a crash that required a momentary pit stop. Dani Wright sprained her ankle in Wednesday's quarterfinal, then had to have some chin damage taped up hastily in the 5549 win against Utah on Friday. The Cougars, who will play New Mexico at 2 p.m. MT today at the Thomas & Mack Center for the Mountain West Conference title, needed Wright down the stretch. She held off foul trouble and shrugged off discomfort to stick around. Wright was all over the place in the final minutes, despite picking up her fourth foul with about nine minutes remain ing. The NOTEBOOK Cougars trailed 4 36 at the time in a semifinal that was often a dramatic 1- - slugf est by both teams. BYU was frustrated that Wright picked up fouls No. 2 and 3 in the opening two minutes of the second half. She sat a little, but not long enough to get stale. Head coach Jeff Judkins felt obligated to keep her in play your best players and take the gamble, he said afterward and the senior center did some of her best work of the night. "I thought she did a great job of coming in and getting some key baskets down the stretch," Judkins said. Granted, the MWCs of the year had some good fortune while finishing 14 points in with a team-hig34 minutes. She nearly charged on one of the three quick baskets scored after playing on a fourth fouL then on the next possession also could've picked up foul No. 5 with a block. At 438 she went down, a "knock up" on the chin she called it. Still, Wright had the pain threshold to sprint back up the floor and distract a Utah outside shooter just enough into a missed At the next stoppage, she exited while bleeding. Judkins Whipple scoring eight straight points. Wright picked up her both shots using just fourth foul with 1231 showing about all of the rim and Jen- on the clock and BYU was unnie Keele hit a long jumper and able to pick up the slack, makfour free throws in the final ing just two of its first 15 shots in the second half. two minutes. Keele was from the field before hitting "First thing was we needed that jump shot. to 17 up," Gillespie said. "Next "We always joke around thing was we had to slow that I'm a practice player I down on offense, take care never miss in practice," Keele of the ball go back to fundasaid. "I haven shot well for mentals, wait for screens, get months but I need to have the people open. We've been in confidence to keep taking tough situations before." them." When Wright got going, the Everything was working Cougars connected on six of for BYU in the first half and their final nine shots. a 164 run put the Cougars up Wright paced BYU with 14 5 with 459 remaining. BYU points and six rebounds. Gilsettled for a 2 halftime lead lespie had 13 points and nine on 1 basket by Ashley Chws-ma-n boards and Johnsen added 12 just before the buzzer. points and three steals. After BYU scored the first BYUs defensive effort was basket of the second half, Utah keyed by sophomore Shawnee went a 12-- blitz to get back in Slade, who harassed Morgan the game with freshman Kalee Warburton (nine points) into t 28-1- 30-2- 2 WeH find out later today if all that running will pay off. BYU is 25-- has won 12 of its past 13 games and is a lock for the NCAA tournament. The Wyoming game, like the 31 before it, is a matter of record andaWisaW Even if you think your team should have won by more. I Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-255- 5 at ddicksonheraldextra.com. or by Gritty Wright fights through bumps, bruises to lift Cougars h stretch. Johnsen made two a jumper and key baskets Continued from CI WN There will be plenty of fans on the discussion home team, UNLV, in the final mortal the rest of the way. will be plenty of BYUs weary legs could There boards wondering how come BYU couldn't have used a little more rest. fans on the discussion boards But this is exactly why Rose wondering how come BYU put Wyoming away. Of course, some of those drives his players so hard in couldn't put Wyoming away. same fans wouldn't be happy unless BYU went Of course, some of those same practice, which resembles a NASCAR race. He promised fans wouldn't be happy unless undefeated every year, joined the Big 1 2 and his team would run when he BYU went undefeated every 12 and took the job, and he meant it. the hot Big the joined 25 year, at to cents. dog prices games dropped called timeout to stall but Billings wasnt quite done. Wright only missed 18 seconds of game time, though, as she returned with a thick bandage on her face. "Nothing big," Wright said. "We came out with a win, so I'm happy. It doesnt bother me at all" The ankle wasnt even a factor, she said, after spraining it early against Air Force on Wednesday. Judkins said then that he couldVe played her further in the quarterfinal game, but had been warned by Billings that it could impact future ability. "You know, say a little prayer and go on it," Wright said. Wright fulfilled interview duties before being taken to get stitches. post-gam- e I Utes look forward to future: Elaine Elliott had a young team, one she gave an "A" for the season. "I was proud of our team," she said. "You know, we just dont ever want to be associated with an effort that would include quitting or somehow not giving your best shot. I am really proud to say I dont have to worry about that." Utah finished hopeful for a WNTT postseason bid. A far cry from being a few points from the Final Four like last year, but Elliott thought this neophyte group met expectations. The Utes have been known to turn down WNTT bids in the past, but Elliott said she wouldnt think of it this year. More games would help this squad, she said. "This is a good team (and the WNTT) is a good match," she said. "My decisions on those have always been unique to where I think a team is emotionally. We simply are extremely young. It would be the next step for this team." 18-1- I percent) from the foul line against Wyoming, but the percentage suffered because Trent Plaisted managed to His connect on just teammates were (76 percent), including (80 percent) in the final three minutes. IfPlaisted's92-of-185(4- Cowboys made just 15of 28 (54 percent), one day after draining 22of-2- 7 (82 percent) in their upset of Air Force. -- 67-6- 2 I On fire: Wyoming's Brandon Ewing said his team wasnt shellshocked at the beginning of the semifinals. BYU was just that good. "Every open look they had, they knocked 'em down," Ewing said. "Whether it was a 3 or a good move down there in the post, they made 'em. "BYU is a great team, a Top 25 team. It was just, they were on tonight. It was one of those type of nights for their whole team. When a player is hitting and their whole every shot team was hitting every shot it's kind of hard to defend one player." I Piling up the wins: At 25-the men BYU have posted the program's most wins in a season since 1992-9when Roger Reid led the Cougars to a 25-mark. The school record for most wins in a season bejongs to the 1950-5- 1 Cougars, which had 28 wins under Stan Watts and claimed the NTT title. 9 Other MWC action MEN: No. 25 UNLV 88, Colora- do State 72: At Las Vegas, the d Rebels swept into the championship game of the MWC tournament with a win over Colorado State. Kevin 25th-ranke- In their first two Tip-in- s: games (UNLV, Wyoming), the New Mexico women have outscored their opponents 38-- 6 in the opening 20 minutes. Against Wyoming, it was a 17-- 5 senior Kruger, a fifth-yea- r who transferred from Arizona State to play for his father, Lon, this season, scored 19 of rus 21 px)mte in the first half and dished out nine assists. charge out of the semifi- nal gate. ... Wyoming's Hanna Zavea finished the season as a point scorer in the last five games. ... BYU and Utah have each won three games against each other in MWC I WOMEN: New Mexico (5, Wyoming 53: At Las Vegas, Julie Briody scored 21 points and had eight rebounds to lead New Mexico over Wyoming. Briody, who also had three from the steals, went field and 5of-- from the free throw line for the Lobos, who play BYU in the champknship game this afternoon. 20-pl- tournament play. I Not to fret: At 66.1 percent from the foul line, BYU might be considered a poor free throw shooting team. BYUhitjust29-of-45(6- 6 4 performance from the Whipple and Warburton 7 scored 41 points in Utah's victory over TCU on Wednesday but combined for just 21 against the Cougars. BYU and New Mexico split the regular season series with both teams winning on the other's home court. "Probably the two of us are the best with an Inside and outside presence," Judkins said. 'New Mexico is a great team. We put them at the foul line 42 times when they beat us in Provo. We cannot do that; we have to limit them at the foul 9 percent) is taken out of the equation, BYU shoots nearly 73 percent (343of 473) from the line for the season, good enough for third in the MWC Wyoming had its own struggles at the line on Friday. The ddicksonheraldextra.com field. BYU 55, UTAH 68-6- line." The women's championship game can be seen at 2 p.m. MT on VERSUS ( I Dairy Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can ba reached at 344-25at or by r b 1 BTAip-- In 0 3 0 0 J J 54 11 Murphf iI n4 0 ft 34 30 32 36 34 24 I OO 4 1 0 1 34 44 1 27 II . 49 0 I I 4 I 44 1 0 0 0 0 n 12 10 10I 2 I 0 I 0 0 0 t t 010 t It 10 I 4 0 t 4 3 0 0 14 0 I I 13 10 0 1 1! 4 4 13 a I 0 1 11-- 34 M--tl rr H 34 3 0 rlio 13 30 14 1 1 1 3 13 3 44 44 34 4 1 341 Ms TH 3 i I la (jnJ-liiHrtwwt- -l Mux Tsis ' 14 31 32 10 It Hi 0 R 27 M St - 1 44 M W17sisal4 awrwu-- HMM, aivj-i-f Mats 04 OatarM 14, Mat J n 14 rtm. Bto 2, Ub UkM 1, I i Cartas (sartaflaa 3 Wamsr rSsny eHV 1 1 ramom i, n I, hums 1 Jntoaan 2. Gfsmssa 31 tMta UMiIMpa. Wartajrua Irni 9 fsfrigst mn Km. annas, jrtnaxt bsmsi in s cartsa m.hnyi mi 4 (Ms, |