Lee Cummard, also a top player-of-the-year candidate for BYU, attempted just nine shots and made five for 14 points, but his three-pointer with 3:01 to play in the game tied it at 58.

Before fouling out with a minute to play, Cummard's driving lay-in off a pass by freshman Jimmer Fredette gave the Cougars a 62-60 advantage with 2:09 left, part of a 13-5 Cougar run.

Plaisted's final free throws came after his well-known struggles (53 percent for the season) from the line, but Rose said his confidence in this game was apparent. After making his first free throw, during a timeout in the huddle, Plaisted told his teammates, "Hey, I got it, let's just get a stop."

Said Rose, "That's what you want to see. He was confident. He was really engaged the whole game. They were doing a good job of pushing him, guarding him, doubling him, and he responded by not forcing it and playing within himself."

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com