Plaisted, yes Plaisted, hits clutch free throw for win

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Trent Plaisted, haunted and terrorized by his own inner demons all season on the free throw line, calmly slipped in a pair of charity tosses with five seconds left as a packed crowd in The Pit screamed at him to choke.

The two makes were key in lifting BYU to a 70-69 emotionally packed overtime win over New Mexico Tuesday night before a sellout crowd of 18,018, After Lobo J.R. Giddens attempt at a inbounds tip with .1 second to play failed, the Cougars registered perhaps their first signature road win of the season.

BYU players rushed the floor, celebrating and hugging. Reserve center Chris Miles turned and yelled at the student section in The Pit who were taunting the Cougar bench and pelting the floor with debris.

The win lifted the Cougars to 22-6 overall, 11-2 in the Mountain West while the Lobos 'six-game win streak skidded to a halt. The win may give the Cougars a stranglehold on a solo title with games at home against Wyoming and Air Force and a lone road trip to Texas Christian to end the regular season.

Plaisted, who had his struggles on the night, led the Cougars in the second half and in overtime as the Lobos struggled to stop him once he got his touch going late in the game. Plaisted finished with 23 points.

The win saved BYU coach Dave Rose's career mark for never losing two conference games in a row and gave him a 6-0 career mark over the Lobos.

Giddens, who held the Lobos together all night, finished with 30 points and seven rebounds.

Sam Burgess, who tied a career high with nine boards, made each of four free throws in overtime to help the Cougars avoid melting down like they did at San Diego State on Saturday. BYU made 6-of-7 from the line in overtime and all their points in the extra session came from the stripe. Fredette, who made his share of mistakes, ended up playing the entire second half after starter Ben Murdock was injured seconds into the second stanza.

As Plaisted returned to the floor for an interview with TV, Lobo fans still in the arena booed the junior, who ended up scoring three points from the line in overtime and finished with 6 rebounds.

One fan followed Plaisted across the arena, taunting him as he made it to the radio table for a post game. As painful as this one was for UNM, it was exactly what the Cougars needed to cement a title.

Freshman Jimmer Fredette busted up New Mexico's attempt at a game-winning possession with 20 seconds left and the Lobos working the clock by stealing the ball from Jamaal Smith.