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Cougar nation rejoices in NIT second round win, roasts TV announcer Bill Walton

By Rachel Bascom Rachel Bascom
SHARE Cougar nation rejoices in NIT second round win, roasts TV announcer Bill Walton
BYU's Brandon Davies goes up for a dunk as BYU and Washington play Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in the first round of the NIT in the Marriott Center at BYU.

BYU’s Brandon Davies goes up for a dunk as BYU and Washington play Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in the first round of the NIT in the Marriott Center at BYU.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU's Brandon Davies shoots over Mercer Bears guard Anthony White Jr. (15) and Mercer Bears forward Daniel Coursey (52) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

BYU’s Brandon Davies shoots over Mercer Bears guard Anthony White Jr. (15) and Mercer Bears forward Daniel Coursey (52) as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
2 of 20
BYU's Brandon Davies shoots over Mercer Bears Daniel Coursey (52) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

BYU’s Brandon Davies shoots over Mercer Bears Daniel Coursey (52) as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
3 of 20
BYU fans as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

BYU fans as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
4 of 20
Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
5 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) is fouled by Mercer Bears forward Bud Thomas (5) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) is fouled by Mercer Bears forward Bud Thomas (5) as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
6 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) shoots over Mercer Bears forward Bud Thomas (5) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) shoots over Mercer Bears forward Bud Thomas (5) as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
7 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars guard Brock Zylstra (13) shoots over Mercer Bears forward Jakob Gollon (20) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars guard Brock Zylstra (13) shoots over Mercer Bears forward Jakob Gollon (20) as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
8 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars forward Nate Austin (33) tries to grab the ball with Mercer Bears guard Langston Hall (21) as Monty Brown looks on as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars forward Nate Austin (33) tries to grab the ball with Mercer Bears guard Langston Hall (21) as Monty Brown looks on as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
9 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars forward Brandon Davies (0) drives on Mercer Bears center Monty Brown (45) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars forward Brandon Davies (0) drives on Mercer Bears center Monty Brown (45) as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
10 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars guard Matt Carlino (10) shoots over Mercer Bears guard Langston Hall (21) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars guard Matt Carlino (10) shoots over Mercer Bears guard Langston Hall (21) as BYU and Mercer play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars senior forward Brandon Davies (0) throws kisses at fans after playing his last home game as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars senior forward Brandon Davies (0) throws kisses at fans after playing his last home game as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
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BYU coach Dave Rose as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

BYU coach Dave Rose as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars senior forward Brandon Davies (0) with fans after playing his last home game as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars senior forward Brandon Davies (0) with fans after playing his last home game as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
14 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars senior forward Brandon Davies (0) pulls down a rebound over Mercer Bears forward Daniel Coursey (52) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars senior forward Brandon Davies (0) pulls down a rebound over Mercer Bears forward Daniel Coursey (52) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
15 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars guard Matt Carlino (10) drives past Mercer Bears guard Langston Hall (21) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars guard Matt Carlino (10) drives past Mercer Bears guard Langston Hall (21) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
16 of 20
Mercer Bears forward Daniel Coursey (52) dunks over Brigham Young Cougars forward Bronson Kaufusi (44) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Mercer Bears forward Daniel Coursey (52) dunks over Brigham Young Cougars forward Bronson Kaufusi (44) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
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BYU coach Dave Rose is congratulated by his wife, Cheryl, as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

BYU coach Dave Rose is congratulated by his wife, Cheryl, as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
18 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
19 of 20
Brigham Young Cougars guard Brock Zylstra (13) drives on Mercer Bears guard Chris Smith (23) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Brigham Young Cougars guard Brock Zylstra (13) drives on Mercer Bears guard Chris Smith (23) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men’s basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

Tom Smart, Deseret News
20 of 20
BYU's Brandon Davies goes up for a dunk as BYU and Washington play Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in the first round of the NIT in the Marriott Center at BYU.
BYU's Brandon Davies shoots over Mercer Bears guard Anthony White Jr. (15) and Mercer Bears forward Daniel Coursey (52) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
BYU's Brandon Davies shoots over Mercer Bears Daniel Coursey (52) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
BYU fans as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) is fouled by Mercer Bears forward Bud Thomas (5) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) shoots over Mercer Bears forward Bud Thomas (5) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars guard Brock Zylstra (13) shoots over Mercer Bears forward Jakob Gollon (20) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars forward Nate Austin (33) tries to grab the ball with Mercer Bears guard Langston Hall (21) as Monty Brown looks on as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars forward Brandon Davies (0) drives on Mercer Bears center Monty Brown (45) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars guard Matt Carlino (10) shoots over Mercer Bears guard Langston Hall (21) as BYU and Mercer play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars senior forward Brandon Davies (0) throws kisses at fans after playing his last home game as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
BYU coach Dave Rose as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars senior forward Brandon Davies (0) with fans after playing his last home game as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars senior forward Brandon Davies (0) pulls down a rebound over Mercer Bears forward Daniel Coursey (52) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars guard Matt Carlino (10) drives past Mercer Bears guard Langston Hall (21) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Mercer Bears forward Daniel Coursey (52) dunks over Brigham Young Cougars forward Bronson Kaufusi (44) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
BYU coach Dave Rose is congratulated by his wife, Cheryl, as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars guard Tyler Haws (3) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars guard Brock Zylstra (13) drives on Mercer Bears guard Chris Smith (23) as BYU defeats Mercer 90-71 as they play men's basketball in the second round of the NIT on Monday, March 25, 2013, in Provo.

The BYU Cougars defeated the Mercer Bears Monday night in Provo, 90-71, to advance to the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament.

BYU had a storming start, going up by 28-11 early on. Mercer managed to cut that lead down to just nine before halftime. However, it was not long until BYU regained control of the game in the second half, and ultimately Mercer had no chance to get back into it.

Brandon Davies was at the core of BYU's offense, scoring 26 points to move to 10th on BYU's all-time scoring list. The senior also picked up 10 rebounds on the night. Tyler Haws had a slow start by his standards, but came out in the second half to score 24 points for the game. Matt Carlino was also shooting well, scoring 18 points and providing nine assists for the Cougars.

The Cougars will now face the winner of the match between No. 1 seed Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech.

Read on for some of the best tweets from the night as Cougar nation reacts to a welcome victory and some curious commentating from ESPN's Bill Walton.

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