In their final exhibition game before the 2001-2001 season tips off, the BYU women's basketball team defeated NWBL 92-72, Thursday night at the Marriott Center. The NWBL is made up of a National Elite Club team made up of former college and professional basketball stars.

All-American Erin Thorn scored 15 points in only 22 minutes of action, making 4 three-pointers. She also dished out a team-high eight assists. Three other Cougars scored in double figures including UCLA transfer Melanie Pearson with 12 points, junior Jennifer Leitner and freshman Danielle Cheesman had 10 points a piece.

Overall the team shot 52 percent from the three-point arc, making 14-27 shots and 57 percent from the floor, making 34-60. The team moved the ball around well and ended up with 29 assists.

"I'm very optimistic about the team this year. We came out much stronger and without jitters in the first half," said head coach Jeff Judkins. "We have a long way to go and we need to improve our defense."

The upcoming season officially gets under way for the women on Nov. 16 in a game against Boise State from Boise, Idaho. On the 20th the team is at the University of Texas in Austin before their season opener against Pac-10 foe Washington State on Nov. 24. That game tips off at 1 p.m., and is part of a double header with the men's team which follows at 4 p.m.

PROVO -- After a decisive win over the Slovakian Club team, BYU's women's basketball team gets another practice game this week. On Thursday, they host NWBL USA in a 7 p.m. start at the Marriott Center.

Saturday's game is against a National Elite Club team made up of former college and professional basketball stars that is on tour in the western United States.

BYU basketball fans were able to get a good look at the entire squad that is currently a pre-season No. 25 team on this year's Women's Basketball News Writers Poll.

Every player on the roster got some quality minutes on the basketball court with All-American junior guard Erin Thorn scoring nine points in just 18 minutes of play. Freshman standout Danielle Cheesman also picked up nine points in the same amount of time.

The Cougar women defeated Mirabel Bansika Bystrica 78-37 last Saturday afternoon in one of two exhibition games set for the 2001-2002 season.

The upcoming season officially gets under way for the women on Nov. 16 in a game against Boise State from Boise, Idaho. On the 20th the team is at the University of Texas in Austin before their season opener against Pac-10 foe Washington State. That game tips off at 1 p.m., and is part of a double header with the men's team which follows at 4 p.m.