Whatever happened Saturday, the Cougars vowed to finally do something other than roll over and play dead in a conference road game. Holy pepperoni, the rival-style meeting produced a miracle, considering that BYU's other road games were double-digit losses.

Despite another brutal start, losing two starters to fouls and missing five three throws in the final 1:04, the Cougars still beat Colorado State 86-84 before a crowd of 4,043 at Moby Arena. BYU, which plays at New Mexico on Wednesday, improved to 12-6, 4-3 in the Mountain West.

"We had quite a team meeting [Friday] night with the coaches, the staff, the players," said coach Dave Rose. "We went through everybody's kind of accountability to the team and what we all need to do to be able to get this first road win."

Turns out they needed a career game from Jimmy Balderson (24 points), massive heart from Brock Reichner and Austin Ainge's steady performance at point guard. To top it off, the Cougars got a thunderous dunk from Trent Plaisted that only accounted for two points but had longtime BYU basketball observers searching the archives to remember such an incredible play.

"One thing we concentrated on this game was play hard and be tough," said Balderson. "That was kind of our motto. On the road, it seems like we've kind of been a pushover."

That pattern looked like it would continue when the CSU press forced the Cougars into six early turnovers and a 17-6 deficit. Five minutes into the game, Rose inserted Ainge.

A starter last year, Ainge had been playing limited minutes until Rashaun Broadus was suspended for one game. With Ainge as the conductor, BYU's offense broke CSU's pressure and got enough easy baskets to lead 43-41 at halftime.

"I thought Ainge handled it well," said CSU coach Dale Layer. "He was the guy who penetrated and set other people up."

Rose called on Ainge again with the game on the line, after Reichner and Plaisted had fouled out. Ahead 80-79, after blowing a nine-point lead in the second, the Cougars got the ball to Mr. Steady.

Driving into CSU's defense, Ainge spotted Broadus open behind the three-point arc above the free-throw line. The junior college transfer made the shot, helping to offset the two free throws he would miss with barely more than a minute left in the game.

Jason Smith then hit a tough three-pointer, followed by Ainge's two foul shots with 13 seconds left. On CSU's ensuing possession, Fernando Malaman knocked the ball away from Stephan Gilling in the final eight seconds.

After the buzzer sounded, the Cougars graciously shook hands with the dejected Rams and then celebrated wildly going into the locker room.

"It was big deal for this team," Rose said. "They played hard. They were tough. I'm just glad they were rewarded with a win. It needed to happen."

And it wouldn't have happened without Reichner, who had 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals in 36 minutes.

IN SHORT - BYU overcomes another horrendous start to give Dave Rose his first conference

road win.

KEY MOMENT - After blowing a nine-point lead, the Cougars were trailing by one when Brock Reichner hit a three-pointer with 2:37 left to put his team up for good.

KEY STAT - The Cougars were active on defense, recording a season-high 17 steals.