Lobos played huge as BYU's Mr. Clutch sat

PROVO — The Lobos clipped the Cougars 83-81 in a big-time showdown Saturday by doing what they have consistently done in winning 13 straight games during an impressive march through the Mountain West.

Steve Alford's squad simply made plays.

The Lobos bricked 11 free throws against BYU, plenty of them in crunch time.

Do that on the road and you're supposed to lose.

But Darington Hobson's block at the rim of a potential game-tying lay-in by Noah Hartsock with two seconds to play and huge 3-point shots by Roman Martinez, Phillip McDonald and Hobson proved money in a Lobo comeback in the final six minutes.

Nothing's bigger than making plays. The Lobos did it, BYU didn't.

The Cougars had just given up a meager lead when they caught Lobo Dairese Gary on a switch going for a steal when an open Hartsock got the ball, turned and raced off the block for what looked like an easy bucket after a timeout play with 8.6 seconds left in the game.

Hartsock looked like he'd dunk the ball and tie the game but chose to lay the ball in. That's when Hobson came streaking from the corner to rise up and swat the shot to A.J. Hardeman.

That play dashed BYU's efforts to stave off the Lobos without Jimmer Fredette (stomach issues) but a career performance by Michael Loyd (19 points) and sterling effort by freshman Tyler Haws (18 points).

"I knew it was my responsibility for backside help, to recover," said Hobson. "I thought about taking a charge but went up strong instead." While the crowd wanted a foul, Hobson's swipe was clean and ensured the Lobo victory.

"This is the biggest victory of my career," said Hobson. "I take my hat off to BYU, to a great crowd, to their coaches and players. They played a great game. This season isn't over, they've got the tournament and the NCAAs. This is the biggest win of my career, and I'm happy with it."

Hobson, who scored 20 points and had 14 rebounds, is considered, along with BYU's Jimmer Fredette, as frontrunners for league player of the year honors.

Hobson showed his wares in impressive style. But Fredette (6 points) played just 16 minutes and sat almost the entire second half with a stomach virus.

When he did play, he looked weak, out of it and ineffective.