Cummard likes the "step up guys"

Dave Rose’s two freshmen continue to impress.

Jimmer Fredette and Chris Collinsworth made more of a mark in the box score in the win over San Diego State Wednesday night. They hustled on defense and really stepped up during a crucial time when BYU’s best defender, Lee Cummard was in foul trouble, and Jonathan Tavernari was struggling on offense.

SDSU’s big guns, Lorrenzo Wade and Kyle Spain are a a load for anybody in the league. They go about 6-foot-6 but play bigger than that because of their explosive jumps and foot-speed on drives. At times, Fredette, at 6-2, Sam Burgess at 6-3 and Collinsworth at 6-8, came in to guard those two.

“They keep playing like they did tonight, it is huge,” said Cummard. “Collinsworth came in and rebounded and played defense and Jimmer kept us together when it got real rugged out there.”

Collinsworth had 4 rebounds in 18 minutes. Fredette made 4 of 8 field goals including 3 of 6 from the three-point line, had 1 rebound and 11 points in 23 minutes. He was the most accurate shooter for the Cougars on the night and of BYU’s 5 of 21 shooting from beyond the arc, he had three of the five.

Cummard believes BYU sent a message to those who watched the game in person or on TV around the league. “We are not going to be pushed around and we have some heart in us.”

Even when shooting just 34 percent.