COL BKB: Brigham Young 89, UTEP 68

PROVO, Utah, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Jimmer Fredette and Jackson Emery combined to score 48 points Thursday in rallying No. 23 Brigham Young from a slow start to an 89-68 win over UTEP.

The Miners grabbed a 17-6 lead before BYU got its offense untracked but the Cougars (12-1) eventually came back for a 39-26 halftime advantage. BYU built a 25-point cushion by the midway point of the second period.

Fredette scored 25 points and Emery had six rebounds and four assists to go with his 23 points. Brandon Davies had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Cougars, whose only loss came at UCLA Dec. 18.

The Miners (9-3) were led by Christian Polk and Claude Britten with 15 points each.