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Provo • Anyone wondering whether BYU could win without a gigantic contribution from star Tyler Haws got their answer Tuesday at the Marriott Center.

Playing on a sore ankle, Haws scored only four points on 2-for-9 shooting, but the Cougars were still able to defeat UMass in overtime, 77-71.

With Haws hobbling, Anson Winder scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Cougars to their sixth win in the last seven games. Kyle Collinsworth contributed 18 points, 15 rebounds and four assists.

"This is special," said BYU coach Dave Rose. "This was a real team victory for our guys. Everybody — top to bottom — battled through a game that was really difficult for us. ... We never got into the flow we seem to get into here at times."

Rose was quick to credit UMass, which failed to win in regulation when Maxie Esho missed the second of two free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining.

"Both teams played hard enough and both teams played well enough that it's tough to see anybody get beat," Rose said. "... [But] I'm happy for our guys."

The Cougars open the West Coast Conference season on Saturday against eighth-ranked Gonzaga, making Haws' physical condition a huge ongoing story.

He sprained his ankle on Dec. 13 at Weber State, but responded with 24 points in BYU's 79-77 win over Stanford last Saturday.

Against UMass, however, Haws moved gingerly. He played 27 minutes but had difficulty creating his shot or defending.

In the Cougars' first 12 games, remember, Haws scored at least 20 points eight times. But against the Minutemen, his first basket came 1:09 into the second half.

"It's a tough sprain," Rose said, "and it's going to take awhile to get him back 100 percent. ... Ty is going to have to be patient and the coaches are going to have to be patient because he's not out of the woods yet."

Against UMass, BYU overcame an early seven-point deficit and took a 32-30 lead at halftime.

The Cougars built a 41-36 advantage with 15:36 remaining, thanks partly to Haws' only two baskets. But UMass countered with a 9-0 run, making it a fight to the finish.

"We wanted them to shoot contested twos and keep them away from the rim," Rose said. "But they got to the rim late in the second half because that's what they do. They are very good at it."

At the end of regulation, BYU owned a 62-61 lead when Chase Fischer drove into the lane and had his shot blocked. UMass regained possession with 14.1 seconds left.

After a timeout, the Minutemen worked the ball to Esho, their leading scorer. He drove and was fouled by Corbin Kaufusi. Esho made the first free throw but was long on the second.

"You're just hoping and praying he misses both, but we were able to get one," said Winder. "It's a nervous feeling but we were able to claw it out and win."

The biggest play in overtime came with 56 seconds left, when Frank Bartley IV passed to Kaufusi for a pick-and-roll dunk that gave the Cougars a 71-68 lead.

"His man came to me," Bartley said, "and it opened up."

Said Rose: "Just a group of guys battling, trying to find a way to win a game. It's a little nerve-wracking as a coach, but it's gratifying to watch guys come together and find ways to make plays for each other." —

Storylines

• Anson Winder scores a career-high 25 points and leads BYU to a 77-71 overtime win over UMass.

• Kyle Collinsworth contributes 18 points and 15 rebounds as BYU improves its record to 10-3.

• BYU opens West Coast Conference play Saturday against once-beaten and eighth-ranked Gonzaga.