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Cummard's 18 points helps BYU rout Colorado State

Mar 14, 2008 - 2:12 AM LAS VEGAS (Ticker) -- Lee Cummard and Brigham Young turned it on in the second half.

Cummard scored 18 points as the 23rd-ranked Cougars posted an 89-62 victory over Colorado State in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West tournament on Thursday.

Sam Burgess had 13 points and six rebounds and Jonathan Tavernari scored 12 for BYU (26-6), which will face San Diego State in Friday's semifinals. The Aztecs advanced with a 53-49 victory over Air Force on Thursday evening.

The Cougars, who have won five straight games and 14 of 15 overall, broke open a six-point contest early in the second half.

"It was a very competitive game, especially the first half," BYU coach Dave Rose said. "I thought we did a better job of getting to their shooters in the second half, which allowed us to contest shots. Then we were able to get out on the break and score some baskets in transition."

Leading 40-34 at the break, Brigham Young went on a 25-6 burst capped by Jimmer Fredette's jumper with 11:47 left to take control and end the Rams' season.

"This win feels good, especially after the Rams had a good first half and everything they were throwing up was going in," Burgess said. "We knew we always have big runs in the game, and it was just a matter of time before we hit ours. Once we get going in transition, we can make big runs at a time."

Cummard, who connected on 6-of-9 shots from the floor, scored eight in the spurt, including two 3-pointers.

"We took good shots today," Cummard said. "I think the reason for that was because we were making extra passes and being unselfish. It's not very hard to shoot a wide open shot because your teammate passes up a shot for a better shot."

The Mountain West co-Player of the Year, Cummard drilled 3-of-4 shots from the arc and freshman Chris Collinsworth added 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Cougars, who shot 65 percent (30-of-46).

"Our freshmen played well today, especially Chris," Cummard said. "He just brings a lot of energy. He generally can hit some big shots at key moments."

Willis Gardner, Andre McFarland and Marcus Walker each scored nine points for Colorado State (7-25), which lost for the 18th time in 19 games. The Rams reached the quarterfinals by upsetting Wyoming on Wednesday.

"Wednesday's win was good to get the monkey off our backs by beating Wyoming," Colorado State coach Tim Miles said. "But BYU got things going and we let things get away from us. We got complacent, and it turned into one-on-one basketball, and you can't win against BYU on one-on-one."

Adam Nigon and Jesse Woodard also scored nine points for the Rams, who dropped all three games to BYU during the season.

"We have a good nucleus now," Miles said. "We just need to get them some help. We have a great foundation to build on and it will take us farther in the future."

Colorado State shot 40 percent (23-of-57).