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BYU opens big lead and cruises past Weber State

Dec 6, 2007 - 7:09 AM PROVO, Utah (Ticker) -- Brigham Young got off to a fast start and never looked back in a 72-57 victory over intrastate rival Weber State on Wednesday.

Sam Burgess scored 16 points for the 22nd-ranked Cougars, who led 42-21 at the half.

Lee Cummard, Jonathan Tavernari and Trent Plaisted each scored 14 points for BYU (7-1).

Plaisted added 15 rebounds and five blocks for the Cougars, who are off to their best start through eight games since 2002-03, when they also posted a 7-1 record after eight contests.

"I was really pleased with our captains tonight," BYU coach Dave Rose said. "They gave us great leadership. Trent (Plaisted) was phenomenal, Lee (Cummard) was steady, and Sam (Burgess) gave us a big boost in energy in the second half."

Cummard had 11 points and Tavernari added 10 in the first half when the Cougars broke the game open. BYU was 6-of-12 from the arc and 12-of-15 from the line in the opening 20 minutes while Weber State did not attempt a single free throw.

"The in-state games have a whole different feel," Rose said. "Defensively it is more aggressive and a faster pace because of that these in-state games are good to play."

Trevor Morris was the only player in double figures with 12 for Weber State, which shot 20-of-60 (33 percent) from the field, including 5-of-17 on 3-pointers.

BYU has now won 35 consecutive home games - the second-longest streak in the nation behind Memphis' 36.

The Wildcats, who were coming off a 78-61 setback to Illinois on Saturday, have not scored more than 66 points in a contest since a season-opening victory over Utah State.

"I was very impressed with their team," Weber State coach Randy Rahe said. "They played with a lot of energy and a lot of confidence. We saw a really good basketball team. There is a reason that they are ranked.

"I though our kids battled very hard. We struggled through the first half, but we came out in the second half and played hard and stayed together."