Mesa Mountain View coach Gary Ernst prefers balanced scoring, but there are times such as Thursday night when he'll take the exception.

Senior guard Tommy Kuhse lit up the scoreboard for a school-record 42 points as the Toros handled city-rival Dobson, 79-52, in a Division I game at Mountain View.

Kuhse, averaging 23 points a game entering the contest, scored Mountain View's first 15 points. He scored 18 in the first quarter leading the Toros to a 20-12 advantage. His prowess continued in the second period with 11 more ensuring Mountain View the lead at halftime (35-25). Kuhse made 10 of 14 shots in the first half -- including six threes, a tip-in, a four-point play and all three of his free throws. He finished 14 of 25 from the field with 10 threes. The 10 threes made were also a school record for a game.

"Balance has been a problem for us, but Tommy is a kid with a lot of confidence," Ernst said. "He had a great night and maybe one of the shots he took was forced. And he took care of the ball. It was an encouraging game for us."

Mountain View (8-6 overall, 5-3 power-ranking games) had others get involved on the offensive end in the second half. Mountain View scored 44 points in the second half -- just 13 from Kuhse. Despite Kuhse's explosive night, Dobson was still within striking distance (down 51-39 with 20 seconds left in the third). Kuhse's only basket in the third period was a three with a couple seconds left. He opened the fourth quarter with two long treys and the lead was 60-39 with 7:10 to play.

"This was a big game, and Dobson's a good team," Kuhse said. "We need to win power-point games. When other teams come here it's usually a big game for them. We had to protect the home court."

Ernst realizes balance isn't going to come often this season, partly because he's chosen to play more players than usual. The Toros often play nine or 10 players this season compared to seven or eight typically.

"Tommy is going to score a lot for us, but if we have five or six others scoring five or six points that can work," Ernst said.

Dobson had won five of its last six games and back-to back power-ranking victories prior to Thursday The Mustangs fell to 10-5, 5-3 prg. Amaury Matthews led Dobson with 11 points and Dante Hicks chipped in with 10. Both Dobson and Mountain View are in the middle of the D-I power rankings (11th and 13th, respectively, heading to play Thursday.

Mountain View is back in action at home Friday (Jan. 15) against Corona del Sol while Dobson returns to its home court Friday to face Westwood.