BYU men's basketball: Cougars run and gun past Santa Clara, 96-79

"We just knew we had to step things up defensively," Davies said. "In the first half, they hit a lot of open 3s. They have great shooters. Those three guards are among the best in our conference. It's tough to get them stopped. We just emphasized it a little more in the second half and we were able to get stops."

The key to executing a high-tempo offense?

"Getting stops," Carlino said. "When we get stops, it's a lot easier to run because we catch a defense off-guard. When we're not getting stops, they can set up their defense. That's the biggest thing."

BYU led 54-53 with 16:30 left in the game when the Cougars went on a 14-1 run that put them up, 68-54. The stretch included 3-pointers by Carlino and Brock Zylstra. BYU led by as many as 23 late in the game.

Five Broncos scored in double figures: Kevin Foster (18), Marc Trasolini (15), Evan Roquemore (14), Raymond Cowels (13) and Brandon Clark (11). Foster and Cowels each connected on three 3-pointers.

"They're all capable shooters," Davies said. "They can knock them down all game long."

"Those guards are so hard to contain," Rose said. "They spread the floor. They can drive it. They can shoot it."

But the Broncos were no match for the Cougars in the second half.

BYU travels to San Diego on Thursday (8 p.m. MST, BYUtv).