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San Diego • With a 3-pointer from the left side less than four minutes into Saturday night's game against San Diego, sophomore Nick Emery tied a BYU school record.
It was the 28th straight game that the Lone Peak High product has made a 3-pointer, tying him with Jimmer Fredette for the longest streak ever at BYU.
Emery's mark dates back to last season, while Fredette made at least one 3-pointer in his final 28 games as a Cougar. His streak started after an 0-for-4 performance against Hawaii and started in his hometown of Glens Falls, N.Y. against Vermont.
The bucket was Emery's lone highlight of the first half because he picked up his second foul with 14:06 remaining and watched the rest of the half from the bench.
Emery's improving defense
Although he's undersized, even for a guard, the 6-foot-1 Emery is trying to become the Cougars' defensive stopper, a role filled by his brother, Jackson Emery, and guys such as Charles Abouo and Jordan Chatman in past years.
"Everyone has been talking about how our defense needs to improve, and I have really taken that personally," Nick Emery said Thursday. "We need to get better, and we are getting better. I think it helps having big guys down the middle, so if they do get past me Eric [Mika] and Yoeli [Childs] are coming over and getting that block. It is a team effort, but I do take it personally and hopefully we can continue that."
Mika's mixed feelings
Past trips to San Diego were always short ones for the Cougars because they were travel partners with the Toreros and there's not another WCC team in the area, so the sojourn to America's Finest City, as it is called, isn't new.
For one, BYU center Eric Mika kind of liked the old days when trips meant two games in three days in California.
"I miss the little mini-vacations, but it is definitely interesting, how they've changed it," Mika said. "I think it is too early to say whether it is good or not."
Briefly
BYU coach Dave Rose entered the game with an overall record of 296-104 and can become the 20th fastest coach to 300 career wins with victories in three or four of his next six games. … Former University of Utah star Andre Miller attended the game. Currently a free agent, Miller played 17 seasons in the NBA and is good friends with BYU assistant coach Tim LaComb. … Officials for the game were David Hall, Brent Meaux and Dennis Flannery. … Part of the reason for the relatively small crowd was that San Diego students don't begin spring semester classes until Jan. 26. … BYU's next opponent, Pepperdine, lost 75-61 to Santa Clara on Saturday night and will be 1-5 in league play, 5-13 overall, when it visits the Marriott Center.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Most 3-pointers at BYU
296 - Jimmer Fredette (2007-11)
265 - Jonathan Tavernari (2006-10)
230 - Jackson Emery (2005-11)
215 - Chase Fischer (2014-16)
213 - Mark Bigelow (1998-2004)
163 - Mike Rose (2003-07)
162 - Tyler Haws (2009-2015)
157 - Matt Carlino (2011-14)
153 - Lee Cummard (2005-09)
144 - Nick Emery (2015-present)