BYU loses in overtime

BEAUMONT, Texas — A bunch of junior-college transfers ganged up to whip BYU with an ugly stick for most of the contest and then Lamar, of the Southland Conference, delivered a deadly knockout blow in overtime Wednesday, capturing an 86-77 win over the Cougars in the Montagne Center before a crowd of 3,150.

Lamar spoiled BYU senior Keena Young's homecoming as five Cardinal players scored in double figures. James Davis, a 7-foot-1, 315-pound giant had 20 points and 16 rebounds in leading Lamar to BYU's first overtime loss in five games dating back to March 14, 2003.

A pair of bombs by Darren Hopkins and Matthew Barrow in overtime propelled Lamar (4-6) past the Cougars (5-4), who managed just one field goal in 10 attempts in the extra period after battling back from a 17-point first-half deficit to gain a tie at 72 apiece at the end of regulation.

Young, who is from Beaumont, led the Cougars with 19 points before fouling out. Mike Rose, from nearby Houston, came off BYU's bench to score 14 points during BYU's big second-half comeback.

Jimmy Balderson, who had 15 points off the bench, tied his career high with eight rebounds. Another Cougar bench player, senior Fernando Malaman registered a career-high 10 rebounds in 24 minutes.

BYU's heroics, much too late and reminiscent of the loss at Boise State, couldn't overcome a bad start to the game.

"When we were that far behind, our team fought back," BYU coach Dave Rose said. "You have to give Davis credit, he was tough to handle and our guys had their hands full. Lamar is a good team."

After trailing 36-19, the Cougars battled to close the gap at 44-30 at the half but Lamar's 44 points was significant. After going 10-for-29 (34 percent) in the first half, the Cougars hit 10 of their next 16 after intermission. Rose hit 4-of-7 treys to key the Cougar comeback, and when Trent Plaisted hammered home a driving slam dunk with 9:20 to play, he was fouled, converted and gave the Cougars a tie at 57.

Rose put the Cougars ahead on BYU's next possession with a 3-point make off a fast break but Lamar answered the charge and Currye Todd's 3-point shot with 5:51 to play helped the Cardinals stave off BYU in regulation. BYU got the final shot at a win at the end of the game with a buzzer shot from Malaman from the top of the key that missed.

The Cougars outscored Lamar 42-28 in the second half. Like the Boise State game, it was a lot too late.

"Good teams find a way to win on the road and we haven't done that," said Balderson.