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SALT LAKE -- The BYU Cougars triumphed over the San Francisco Dons at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, defeating USF 69-43 on Saturday.

The Cougars were led by Jackson Emery who finished with 14 points, four steals, four rebounds and two assists. Emery was followed closely by Jimmer Fredette who scored 13 points and had six assists.

“It was a good win,” said BYU head coach Dave Rose. “We were pretty fortunate. I was really happy with the way our guys were sharing the ball offensively, and it’s just nice to get a win and get things working in a positive direction again.”

Sophomore Noah Hartsock started for the first time in his career, setting a new career high with 28 minutes, while leading BYU with five rebounds and tying his career-highs in steals and assists with two in each category.

Jonathan Tavernari became BYU’s all-time leader in 3-point baskets, hitting a three off a pass from Fredette at the 8:56 mark in the second half. The trey was the senior's 214th, breaking the record previously held by Mark Bigelow with 213 threes made.

“I’m really proud of him,” Rose said of Tavernari. “It’s quite an accomplishment, and he really worked hard to achieve it. It’s a good record to have, but it’s nice to get it behind us so we can move on and keep winning games.”

Both the Cougars and the Dons seemed to favor their post match-ups early with the first five shots of the game being taken in the paint. However, after missed layups on each end, both teams began to utilize their outside play with Fredette and Haws hitting jumpers in the next five minutes of the game. USF also banked in a three-point basket.

The crowd favorite plays of the first half both featured BYU freshman post Brandon Davies. Five minutes into the half, Davies pinned a USF shot against the backboard and four minutes later his one-handed throwdown brought Cougar fans to their feet. The dunk put BYU in front, 15-8.

Senior Chris Miles scored the first points of both the first and second half, completing a three-point play for the Cougars. Guard play continued to be the driving force behind BYU’s dominance as Emery hit his third three-pointer of the game, while Fredette hit two free throws and added an and-one play giving the Cougars their largest lead of the game, 46-26.

BYU was able to maintain a lead of more than fifteen points for the remainder of the second half and eventually stretched the lead to thirty points with four minutes left to play. Strong play by the BYU bench allowed USF to only score three points for eight minute of the last ten minutes of the second half. The BYU defense was consistent throughout the game, holding the Dons to only 43 total points, the lowest for a BYU opponent this year and the fewest total allowed by the Cougars since 2007 at Long Beach State.

The Cougars continued to be perfect from the free throw line throughout the entire game by shooting 12-of-12 from the charity stripe. The last time BYU was perfect from the line was in 2005 against Saint Mary’s.

The Cougars will be back in action on the hardwood at the Marriott Center on December 8th facing the Sun Devils of Arizona State at 8:00 p.m. Listen to the game live on KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM or online at KSL.com. The game will be broadcast live on The Mtn.

CLICK HERE for game notes and quotes.

Official Basketball Box Score
San Francisco vs BYU COUGARS
12/05/09 4:05 pm at Energy Solutions Arena, Salt Lake City
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VISITORS: San Francisco 2-6
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
22 BLACKWELL, Perris... f  3-11   0-0    2-8    5  3  8   1   8  1  2  0  0  29
32 CALOIARO, Angelo.... f  2-4    2-3    0-0    0  4  4   3   6  1  2  0  0  25
12 BRUHA, Tomas........ c  1-4    0-0    0-0    3  4  7   2   2  0  2  0  1  18
01 VAUGHN, Kwame....... g  4-8    0-2    2-3    0  2  2   1  10  1  1  0  0  30
13 GREEN, Rashad....... g  0-2    0-1    2-4    0  1  1   3   2  2  2  0  1  19
05 WILLIAMS, Michael...    1-4    0-2    0-0    0  1  1   2   2  2  1  0  0  20
11 BRYANT, Dontae......    0-3    0-1    0-0    0  0  0   1   0  2  3  0  2  24
21 DIARRA, Moustapha...    5-7    0-0    3-4    1  5  6   3  13  0  5  0  0  23
31 STOJILJKOVIC, Nikola    0-3    0-2    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  1  0  0  12
   TEAM................                         1  1  2
   Totals..............   16-46   2-11   9-19  10 21 31  16  43  9 19  0  4 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 10-23 43.5%   2nd Half:  6-23 26.1%   Game: 34.8%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  2-5  40.0%   2nd Half:  0-6   0.0%   Game: 18.2%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  2-5  40.0%   2nd Half:  7-14 50.0%   Game: 47.4%    6
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HOME TEAM: BYU COUGARS 6-1
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
34 HARTSOCK, Noah...... f  1-2    0-0    0-0    0  5  5   2   2  2  0  2  2  28
54 MILES, Chris........ c  2-4    0-0    1-1    1  2  3   4   5  0  0  1  0  15
04 EMERY, Jackson...... g  5-7    3-5    1-1    0  4  4   3  14  2  3  0  4  29
23 HAWS, Tyler......... g  5-8    0-3    2-2    0  0  0   2  12  0  1  0  0  26
32 FREDETTE, Jimmer.... g  4-8    1-2    4-4    0  3  3   1  13  6  5  0  2  28
00 DAVIES, Brandon.....    1-2    0-0    2-2    0  3  3   3   4  0  4  1  0  15
01 ABOUO, Charles......    1-4    0-1    2-2    1  1  2   0   4  1  1  0  1   8
02 MORGAN, JR., Lamont.    2-2    1-1    0-0    0  0  0   0   5  3  0  0  1  12
10 LOYD, JR., Michael..    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0   5
12 MAGNUSSON, Logan....    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   1   0  1  0  0  0   3
13 ZYLSTRA, Brock......    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0   2
15 ANDERSON, James.....    0-2    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   1   0  0  0  0  0   4
24 TAVERNARI, Jonathan.    4-9    2-5    0-0    0  2  2   2  10  0  0  0  0  25
   TEAM................                         1  2  3
   Totals..............   25-49   7-17  12-12   3 24 27  19  69 15 14  4 10 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 14-26 53.8%   2nd Half: 11-23 47.8%   Game: 51.0%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  4-11 36.4%   2nd Half:  3-6  50.0%   Game: 41.2%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  3-3  100 %   2nd Half:  9-9  100 %   Game: 100 %    0
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Officials: Bob Staffen, Mike Reed, Bill Kennedy
Technical fouls: San Francisco-None. BYU COUGARS-None.
Attendance: 10106
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
San Francisco.................   24   19  -   43
BYU COUGARS...................   35   34  -   69
Tavernari (#24) sets BYU record for most 3-pointers in career (214).
Points in the paint-USF 22,BY 33. Points off turnovers-USF 7,BY 20.
2nd chance points-USF 5,BY 9. Fast break points-USF 2,BY 21.
Bench points-USF 15,BY 23. Score tied-1 time. Lead changed-2 times.
Last FG-USF 2nd-00:07, BY 2nd-02:25.
Largest lead-USF by 1 1st-17:04, BY by 32 2nd-02:25.

Matchup with San Francisco at Energy Solutions on Saturday

The Cougars (5-1) will look to bounce back from a road loss at Utah State when they take on San Francisco (2-5) at Energy Solutions Arena on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m. Saturday’s game is the 10th meeting all-time between the teams with San Francisco leading the series 5-4. The Dons won the last meeting between the teams 84-72 in 2002 in San Francisco. Saturday’s game can be heard live on KSL Newsradio beginning with the pregame show at 3 p.m. MT on 102.7 FM and 1160 AM or via the Internet at KSL.com. The game will be televised live on KJZZ and BYUTV.

Up Next

BYU will host Arizona State in the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. Listen to the game live on the radio beginning with the pregame show at 7 p.m. MT on KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM or via the Internet at KSL.com. The game will be televised live on The Mtn.

Cougar Quick Hits

— With 19 points at Utah State, Jimmer Fredette has scored in double figures in 20-straight games, the longest such streak since Travis Hansen scored in double figures in 21-straight games during the 2002-03 season. He was also 6-of-6 from the line against the Aggies, extending his streak of consecutive makes to 23.

— Since Rose took over as head coach of BYU basketball, the Cougars are 65-3 (.956) in the Marriott Center, including a 53-game winning streak from 2005 to 2008 — the longest in school history. With the win over Weber State, the Cougars have a 10-game home winning streak.

— Two-time MWC Coach of the Year Dave Rose has guided BYU to three-straight MWC regular season titles and three-straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. Under Rose, BYU also has four-straight 20-win seasons and four-straight postseason appearances. At 102-35 (.745) overall, he reached 100 wins faster than any other coach in BYU history. Roger Reid held the previous record, reaching 100 wins in 143 games.

— BYU has been picked to finish first (23 of 24 first-place votes) in the MWC preseason poll by the league’s media.

— Senior forward Jonathan Tavernari is on the verge of becoming BYU’s all-time leader in three-pointers (212 — two from passing Mark Bigelow) and is climbing the lists for points (20th with 1,223) and steals (T7th with 124).

BYU GAME #7 FAST FACTS

BYU (5-1) vs. San Francisco (2-5)

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009

Energy Solutions Arena (19,911)

Salt Lake City, Utah

4 p.m. MT

Coaches

BYU, Dave Rose (102-35 in fifth season; same overall)

San Francisco, Rex Walters (13-24 in second season; 44-57 in fourth season overall)

Series

San Francisco leads 5-4, including an 84-72 win at San Francisco in 2002

TV

Live on KJZZ and BYUTV (Steve Brown, play-by-play; Andy Toolson, game analysis; Jarom Jordan, sideline)

Radio

KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM/1160 AM and online at KSL.com) and the Cougar Sports Network (3 p.m. MT pregame show — Greg Wrubell, play-by-play; Mark Durrant, game analysis)

Web

Live stats links are available on the basketball schedule page at www.byucougars.com/basketball_m/

Looking at San Francisco

San Francisco is 2-5 overall and currently on a five-game losing streak. The Dons opened the season with home wins over Cal Poly and Dominican but have since lost at Arizona State and UC Santa Barbara, at home vs. Montana State and then in double overtime at Colorado State and at Colorado. Dior Lowhorn leads the team in scoring (18.3) and rebounding (5.0) while shooting .489 from the field and .818 from the free throw line. He had three 20-point games so far, including a 26-point effort at UC Santa Barbara. Kwame Vaughn is second on the team in scoring at 13.7 points per game and assists with 17. Angelo Caloiaro is the team’s top three-point shooter at .526 (10-19). As a team the Dons average 70.0 points per game while shooting .433 from the field. They allowed opponents to score 78.1 points per game and .480 shooting from the field. Opponents also shoot .413 from downtown while San Francisco shoots .314 from long range.

San Francisco’s Last Outing — San Francisco Downed by Colorado 78-54

(Boulder, CO) - San Francisco was on the wrong end of a 17-2 run to open the second half and Colorado cruised to a 78-54 non-conference victory Tuesday night in the Coors Events Center. The Dons (2-5) led early, but could not slow down the Buffs (5-2), who had four players reach double-digit scoring. Michael Williams led San Francisco with a career-high 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting beyond the arc in his first game back after missing the previous four contests with an injury. Sophomore guard Kwame Vaughn had 11 for the Dons, while freshman forward Perris Blackwell chipped in 10 points to go along with a career-high nine rebounds. San Francisco continued to struggle shooting the basketball, converting on .340 (17-50) from the field. Colorado’s Cory Higgins led the way with a game-high 22 on 9-of-12 from the floor. The Buffs connected on .563 (9-16) from 3-point land. The Dons did win the battle of the boards 33-30, including a 11-3 edge on the offensive glass. After staggering out of the gate in their first game on the Rocky Mountain road swing Sunday at Colorado State, USF got off to a much better start at the Coors Events Center. San Francisco held a 18-16 lead with 12:05 remaining in the half on a Williams 3-pointer, but the Buffs roared back, using a 26-14 run to take a 42-32 cushion into the locker room at the intermission. Colorado shot a sizzling .615 (16-26) from the field and connected on .600 (6-10) from long distance, while the Dons shot .379 (11-29) and .500 (4-8) from deep. Higgins led all Buffs’ scorers with 16 points and did not miss from the field (6-6, 2-2) or the stripe (2-2). Williams led the Dons with nine before the break.USF returns to San Francisco for 48 hours before heading back to the Rockies to take on BYU Saturday, December 5 in Provo, Utah. The Dons and Cougars square off at 3:00 PM (PT) at the Marriott Center in a game broadcast live on Green 960 and USFDons.com.

Series Notes

Saturday’s game will be the 10th meeting between BYU and San Francisco with the Dons owning a 5-4 advantage in the series, including an 84-72 win in the last meeting in 2002. The Cougars won the first three meetings in the series in the 1940s and 50s but San Francisco has since won five of six. BYU and San Francisco have met twice on neutral floors and have split the two games.

BYU at Energy Solutions Arena

Saturday’s game will be the sixth game at Energy Solutions Arena for BYU since 2003. The Cougars are 3-2 at Energy Solutions Arena with the most recent game ending in a 68-63 BYU victory over Utah State last season.

12/6/03, vs. Oklahoma State - W, 76-71

12/11/04, vs. Washington State - L, 46-49

11/30/05, vs. Lamar - W, 97-74

12/8/07, vs. No. 9 Michigan State - L, 61-68

12/6/08, vs. Utah State - W, 68-63