SEATTLE -- Playing its first road game of the 1999-2000 season, the BYU women's basketball team posted a convincing 85-62 win against the Washington Huskies Tuesday night in Seattle.
The Huskies came into the game with an impressive 21-4 home opener record, but could not continue the streak against the hot Cougars. Following a last-second win over Oklahoma City University Saturday night, BYU came into Tuesday's game to dominate from the opening tipoff to the ending buzzer. The Cougars jumped out to a 44-28 lead by halftime and did not look back en route to the 23-point win.
Senior co-captain Jill Adams, a center, had an explosive night for the Cougars, leading the team in scoring with 24 points as well as rebounds (10) and assists (7), just narrowly missing a triple-double. Senior forward Cady Williams scored 19 points, while freshman forward Jennifer Leitner had a breakthrough game, chipping in 19 points of her own.
"We really shot the ball well in both the first half and the second half, and that was key for us," BYU head coach Trent Shippen said.
BYU also shot extremely well from the foul line, converting on 16 of 19 free throw attempts. The Cougars outrebounded Washington as well, 33-27.
For a team that went 5-10 on the road last season, an early victory away from home against a strong Pac-10 opponent was key. Washington was a second-round WNIT competitor last season and has participated in the NCAA Tournament 12 out of the last 15 seasons.
"This was an excellent win for us, no question about it," Shippen said. "It helps to give us that boost of confidence we need on the road."
With the win, BYU improved to 2-0 on the season, while the Huskies dropped to 1-2. BYU will return home for its next game against Gonzaga at 7 p.m. Friday in the Marriott Center.
With its first win of the regular season, the Cougar women basketball team is off on its first road trip to Seattle for a Tuesday night contest with the Washington Huskies. Tip off is 7 p.m., PT. BYU returns to host Gonzaga on Friday night Nov. 26.
Cougars Picked To Finish 4th In First MWC Season
Coaches and Media picked BYU to finish in fourth place in this first season under the new Mountain West Conference.
BYU Probable Starters ('98-99 Stats)
l 33 Jill Adams - 6-3 F, Sr (10.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
l 35 Cady Williams - 5-11 F, Sr (12.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
l 00 April Hayes - 6-3 C, Jr (4.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg)
l 22 Stacy Jensen - 5-6 G, So (4.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
l 11 Erin Thorn - 5-10 G, Fr (Orem, UT/Mountain View HS)
BYU Players Off The Bench ('98-99 Stats)
l 05 Alisha Griffeth - 6-0 F, Sr (6.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg)
l 04 Renae Hansen - 5-11 G, Sr (7.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
l 31 Lisa Osguthorpe - 6-0 F, So (2.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
l 44 Caroline Beus - 6-1 C, Jr (Kuna, ID/Ricks College)
l 15 Jorja Cox - 5-11 G, Jr (RS, Othello, WA/Columbia Basin CC)
l 21 Jennifer Leitner - 6-1 F, Fr (RS/Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley HS)
'98-99 Cougar Highlights
l BYU had a perfect 7-0 record at home in WAC games, and went 9-1 in all games.
l The Cougars averaged 68.0 points per game, shot .443 from the field and .722 at the free throw line.
l BYU's top two leading scorers return for their final season wearing the Cougar Blue. Cady Williams led the team in scoring with 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. Teammate Jill Adams followed close behind averaging 10.5 points and led in rebounds with 6.0.
l Incoming freshman Erin Thorn from Orem, Utah has been voted the pre-season Freshman Of The Year by the Women's Basketball Writers Association.
BYU vs Washington Notes
The Huskies are 1-1 on the year after participating in the North Carolina State Tournament in Raleigh. In the tournament, Washington lost to UNC Greensboro 57-67, then picked up a 73-65 win over Southern Mississippi. Megan Franza and Loree Payne scored in double figures in the Huskies previous two games so far this year with Franza also leading the squad in rebounds, totalling 12.
Washington Probable Starters
l 03 Julia Gray - 5-6 G, So
l 14 Megan Franza - 5-11 G, Jr
l 22 Loree Payne - 6-0 G, Fr
l 23 Emily Autrey - 6-0 F, Fr
l 41 Heather Reichmann - 6-1, F, Fr
Series Against Washington
The series: 3-4 in favor of the Huskies. In last year's meeting in Provo, BYU defeated Washington 81-64. That game was the first of the season at home for the Cougars.
BYU vs Gonzaga Notes
Gonzaga started the 1999-2000 season on the road with three games beginning Sunday, Nov. 21. The Bulldogs beat San Jose State 82-65. They are in Stockton for a Nov. 23 game before traveling to Provo.
The Bulldogs return all five starters from last year's 8-19 team. Gonzaga is part of the West Coast Conference.
Gonzaga Probable Starters ('98-99 Stats)
l 24 Jessica Malone - 5-10 F/G, So (12.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
l 32 Kristin Deal - 5-11 F, Sr (7.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
l 44 Sydney Perno - 6-1 C, Sr (5.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
l 05 Jessica Waltz - 5-6 G, Sr (4.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
l 21 Holly Bruno - 5-10 G, Jr (11.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
Series Against Gonzaga
Series Record: 1-1. These two teams met last in 1993 at the BYU Holiday Invitational with Gonzaga picking up the 75-65 win.
Coach Trent Shippen Quotes
(On the Cougars) We were able to pick up our first regular season win of the year and that's always a great way to start the season. The win will help us with our confidence, especially in our first road trip.
(On Washington) This game will be a tough game for us, even though we were able to beat them in Provo last year. They are picked to finish in the middle of the Pac-10, a very strong basketball conference.
BYU Travel Itinerary
The Cougars arrive in Seattle on Monday, Nov. 22 at 12:10 p.m. BYU will be staying at the Crown Plaza Hotel, 206-464-1980. The team returns to Provo on Wednesday, Nov. 24 arriving at 10 a.m.
