Provo • Brigham Young's New Mexico Bowl-winning football team was introduced at halftime during Saturday's basketball game against Air Force, and with the way the first half went, the Cougars were probably wishing a couple burly of linemen could have stayed on the floor.

In a physical, often-sloppy Mountain West Conference rumble at the sold-out Marriott Center, the No. 15 Cougars overcame some poor shooting and held off the much-improved Falcons 76-66 in front of 22,700 slightly nervous fans.

"I thought that it was another one of those games where the guys found a way to win. That's what is important," said BYU coach Dave Rose.

Having defeated No. 25 UNLV by 12 on Wednesday, the Cougars (16-1) talked the past two days about not having a letdown against the Falcons (10-5, 1-1) after having walloped AFA by 43 points last year in Provo, then almost had just that.

Air Force scored the game's first five points, and would simply not go away. Despite trailing by 18 points with 14 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the game, the Falcons kept plugging and got within eight points a couple times in the final four minutes.

"We're not really big on moral victories," said AFA's Evan Washington.

But the Falcons were obviously proud of their effort Saturday and turnaround from last year. They defeated Utah at home while the Cougars were pounding UNLV and have already matched last year's win total.

"I think we did enough to just win," said Jackson Emery, who was 2 for 11 from three-point range after going 6 for 9 against the Rebels from beyond the arc. "I felt that's kind of how we played. … But you know what? It is just one of those games where you win, you move on, you learn from it.

"We know that we can't do that every game. Otherwise, we are going to be in trouble."

Jimmer Fredette led the Cougars with 22 points, but also struggled from the field, going 6 for 14. The Falcons roughed up BYU's superstar a little bit, although the blood and subsequent bandage on his hand weren't from the rugged play.

"Most teams will go out and be physical … and run guys at me while I am dribbling. So they did a good job of that," Fredette said. "It is pretty normal now."

Still, Rose said he was pleased with the win, knowing that none are going to come easy in the beefed-up MWC. With Brandon Davies in foul trouble most of the game, and Chris Collinsworth sitting out again and appearing to need arthroscopic surgery on his knee, Noah Hartsock added 12 points and 11 rebounds and Charles Abouo added eight big points off the bench.

The Cougars were 19 for 22 from the free-throw line.

"The pace of the game was affected by the fouls, with a lot of stoppage," Rose said. "I think both teams played physical. We were able to get to the free-throw line, and convert on free throws, which was a big plus in the game."

Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said BYU's ability to get 13 offensive rebounds was a big factor. Indeed, the Cougars had 18 second-chance points to Air Force's four.

"It just gets demoralizing when you get a defensive stop and they get an offensive board, and that happened several times," Reynolds said.

While struggling offensively, Emery still had eight points, five assists and one steal, a steal that moved him into a tie with Danny Ainge (195) on BYU's all-time steals list.

"I was hoping [to get it] tonight, but I am now hoping [for the] U of U [game on Tuesday in Salt Lake City]," he said. "Maybe I will get some applause or something."

drew@sltrib.comTwitter: @drewjay —

Storylines

R In Short • The No. 15 Cougars survive a minor letdown after Wednesday's big win and hold off Air Force in front of a sellout crowd of 22,700.

Key Moment • Lethargic BYU opens second half with an 11-3 run to take control.

Key Stat • The Cougars go 19 for 22 from the free-throw line.