Blue tops White in Cougar Tipoff

Cougar Tipoff Box Score
Cougar Tipoff: Game Notes

PROVO, Utah -- The BYU men's basketball team held its annual Cougar Tipoff scrimmage Wednesday night at the Marriott Center, with the blue team winning 84-70.

"I thought this was really good for our guys to go through practices, which have been extremely competitive, and change things up tonight with a scrimmage," said BYU head coach Dave Rose. "There are a lot of things that stand out on the stat sheet but I’ll wait for a true evaluation until we watch film."

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Recently returned from a mission, Tyler Haws led all scorers with 26 points for the winning side. Matt Carlino added 19 for the blue squad while Brandon Davies led the white team in scoring with 20 points.

"It’s really good to get back in the Marriott Center and be back in this atmosphere again," Haws said. "It was really exciting to get out there, and run up and down the floor. It’s good to be back."

Although he didn't play in the second period, the first half belonged to Davies. Showing great footwork in the paint and a good eye for the open man, Davies finished the half with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes of play. Despite Davies' strong performance, his team trailed 47-42. 

Haws and Carlino, also impressive in the first period, scored 16 and 14 points, respectively. The sophomore duo showed impressive mid-range games and scored 17 of the team's final 21 first-half points.

Senior guard Craig Cusick scored seven quick points in the opening part of the second half, highlighted by a quick cut down the middle assisted by Nate Austin.

Josh Sharp got the crowd roaring with a hammer dunk over Ambrosino halfway through the second period. About a minute later, Cusick flipped a pass over his shoulder to Sharp on a fast break for another slam. The play was part of a 15-0 run for the blue squad.

It didn't count towards his streak of 48-straight made free throws, but Haws was six-for-six in the scrimmage.

The Cougars have a home exhibition game Friday versus Southeastern Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. MDT.