LOGAN -- In their first meeting in almost 21 years, the BYU women's basketball team evened its record at 6-6 at Utah State (3-8) Saturday with a 70-64 win in the Cougars' last non-conference game of the regular season.
Three Cougars scored in double figures in Saturday's game, marking the fourth time this season the team has reached that mark. Senior Mallary Gillespie-Carling dropped 19 to lead all scorers. Freshman Keilani Moeaki tallied 14 points, marking her third double-figure performance of the year and second highest total of her career. Senior Lauren Riley-Varley rounded out BYU's top three with 10 points and nine rebounds.
"We started off sloppy in the first half, but we did a better job of running our offense and taking care of the ball in the second half," BYU head coach Jeff Judkins said. "Keilani Moeaki stepped up and played really well. Lauren Riley-Varley also came out and played great for us in the second half after struggling in the first."
The lead during the first ten minutes of the game teeter tottered between the two teams with seven lead changes and two ties. The Aggies opened up an eight-point lead with just under nine minutes to play in the half, but the Cougars were able to battle back and regain the lead with just over three minutes to go in the period.
BYU took a five-point, 34-29, lead into the locker room at the half. Moeaki led the Cougar charge with 10 points in the first half. BYU dominated the boards in the first half, almost doubling the Aggies' production off the glass, 23-12. The Cougars also led in field goal percentage, 50 percent to 30 percent, and recorded five blocks to Utah State's none.
The Aggies pulled to within one point two and a half minutes into the second period, but that was as close as they would get to regaining the lead. The biggest Cougar lead surged to 13 points with 10:31 left in the contest, but Utah State threatened down the stretch and closed the gap to four points within the final minute. However, despite increased energy on both ends of the floor, BYU maintained enough calm to seal their own fate and take home the victory.
BYU is now 6 -2 when leading at the half and when outrebounding its opponents (41-27). The team also improves to 2-0 when shooting better than 50 percent from the field with a 54 percent outing.
The Cougars open their conference schedule at Colorado State on Jan. 12 then return home to consecutive home games against UNLV and Utah on Jan. 16 and 19, respectively.
Official Basketball Box ScoreBrigham Young Univer vs Utah State
12/29/07 5:00 p.m. at Logan, Utah (Dee Glen Smith Spectrum)
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VISITORS: Brigham Young Univer 6-6
TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS
## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
45 MOEAKI, Keilani..... f 5-8 0-0 4-4 1 3 4 3 14 2 3 1 0 24
52 VARLEY, Lauren...... c 5-11 0-0 0-2 3 6 9 3 10 3 4 3 1 22
22 NIELSON, Mindy...... g 3-4 0-0 0-1 0 4 4 3 6 2 3 2 2 28
30 CARLING, Mallary.... g 5-9 2-3 7-7 0 7 7 0 19 5 3 0 0 37
32 SLADE, Shawnee...... g 3-4 1-1 0-0 1 4 5 2 7 4 4 0 1 35
00 NICHOLS, Lauren..... 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
03 FOREMAN, Jazmine.... 0-4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 21
05 CHEESMAN, Ashley.... 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 3
13 JUDKINS, Jaime...... 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 3
23 WOOD, Coriann....... 2-2 0-0 3-4 1 1 2 2 7 0 0 0 0 9
54 KING, Cassie........ 3-5 0-0 1-2 3 0 3 3 7 1 2 2 1 17
TEAM................ 1 4 5 1
Totals.............. 26-48 3-5 15-20 10 31 41 19 70 19 22 8 5 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 13-26 50.0% 2nd Half: 13-22 59.1% Game: 54.2% DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 0-1 0.0% 2nd Half: 3-4 75.0% Game: 60.0% REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 8-9 88.9% 2nd Half: 7-11 63.6% Game: 75.0% 2
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HOME TEAM: Utah State 3-8
TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS
## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
33 SHIPLEY, Lindsey.... f 1-7 1-3 3-4 2 2 4 4 6 2 0 0 1 33
50 JOHNSON, Nicole..... c 3-8 0-1 3-4 0 1 1 1 9 1 0 0 3 22
04 Snelgro, Danyelle... g 0-8 0-3 2-2 0 1 1 1 2 3 4 0 0 29
10 BROWN, Jamelah...... g 4-12 3-4 0-0 1 5 6 3 11 1 2 0 1 35
11 RICHARDS, Taylor.... g 5-9 1-3 0-0 4 0 4 3 11 4 1 0 0 28
03 Palo, LeeAnn........ 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
12 GROSS, Jenny........ 1-4 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 9
13 CODDINGTON, Alice... 1-4 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 0 1 13
21 WHITE, Amber........ 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
23 DIOP, Ndoumble...... 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6
25 PARES, Ana.......... 3-4 1-2 2-2 1 2 3 2 9 0 1 0 0 8
32 HATCHETT, Jade...... 5-10 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 11 1 1 0 0 10
TEAM................ 3 2 5
Totals.............. 23-66 8-21 10-12 12 15 27 16 64 13 10 0 7 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 10-32 31.3% 2nd Half: 13-34 38.2% Game: 34.8% DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 2-9 22.2% 2nd Half: 6-12 50.0% Game: 38.1% REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 7-8 87.5% 2nd Half: 3-4 75.0% Game: 83.3% 2
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Officials: Carla Fujimoto, Wendy Dailey, Laura Rahe
Technical fouls: Brigham Young Univer-None. Utah State-None.
Attendance: 860
Score by Periods 1st 2nd Total
Brigham Young Univer.......... 34 36 - 70
Utah State.................... 29 35 - 64
Id-573433
Points in the paint-BY 34,USU 8. Points off turnovers-BY 12,USU 27.
2nd chance points-BY 10,USU 6. Fast break points-BY 2,USU 2.
Bench points-BY 14,USU 25. Score tied-3 times. Lead changed-8 times.
Last FG-BY 2nd-03:43, USU 2nd-00:27.
Largest lead-BY by 13 2nd-10:31, USU by 8 1st-08:39.
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One final nonconference game is on the schedule this week for BYU's women's basketball team. The Cougars (5-6) head to Logan to renew their rivalry with instate foe Utah State (3-7) on Sat. Dec. 29. Tip off is set for 5 p.m., from the Spectrum.
Game #11- 12/29/07:BYU @ Utah State Time: 5:00 p.m.MT Arena: The Spectrum
Following the Cougars --
Radio: This week's game at Utah State will air live on KOVO 960 AM.
Internet: The game can also be heard live on the internet at
http://www.byuradio.org/streaming
Jay Monsen will call the action for both games.
Live stats: All of the games can be accessed with the live stats link by logging on
to: www.byucougars.com/basketball_w/
Cougar All-Acccess: Those who have signed up for Cougar All-Access can also view the games on their computers
BYU Probable Starters
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG
03 Jazmine Foreman G 5-5 Fr 2.6 0.9
30 Mallary G. Carling G 5-10 Sr 13.4 3.8
32 Shawnee Slade F 5-11 Jr 7.7 6.2
45 Keilani Moeaki F 6-2 Fr 5.7 3.9
52 Lauren R. Varley C 6-3 Sr 8.5 8.2
Reserve Players
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG
22 Mindy Nielson G 5-10 Fr 6.9 2.9
54 Cassie King F 6-3 Jr 5.6 3.1
23 Coriann Wood F 6-1 Fr 3.2 2.3
14 Sarah Red G/F 5-11 Jr (rs)1.8 0.0
05 Ashley Cheesman F 6-0 Sr 1.5 1.7
13 Jaime Judkins G 5-6 So 1.0 0.8
0 Lauren Nichols F 6-0 Fr (rs)0.5 0.2
55 Megan Marks F 6-2 Fr 0.3 1.3
Team Stats -- 2007-08
-- Shooting from the field: (.389, 230-592)
-- Shooting from the free-throw line: (.613, 103-168)
-- Shooting from three-point line: (.304, 59-194)
-- Average points per game: 56.5
-- Average rebounds per game: 39.3
byu quick hits
The team
-- Two starters are among the six letterwinners returning for the 2007-08 season.The team also returns two redshirts in addition to six very talented newcomers
-- The seniors are MWC Second Team honoree guard Mallary Gillespie-Carling and MWC Honorable Mention Lauren Riley-Varley. Both were also named to the 2007 MWC All-Tournament Team.
-- Among the letterwinners are junior forward/guard combo Shawnee Slade, senior forward Ashley Cheesman and junior center Cassie King. The trio return with the most playing experience and an understanding of coach Judkins' game plan. Guard Jamie Judkins who also comes in with significant playing time experience.
-- Two redshirts who were on the team last year, freshman forward Lauren Nichols and sophomore guard Sarah Red, a transfer from the University of Utah, will also provide solid experience on the team as newcomers.
-- Six new incoming freshmen will take to the court in 2007-08. They are:
Stephanie Buhler: 6-0, F, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS
Jazmine Foreman: 5-5, G, Vancouver, WA/Hudson's Bay HS
Megan Marks: 6-2, F, South Jordan, UT/Bingham HS
Keilani Moeaki: 6-2, F, Warrenville, IL/Wheaton Warrenville South HS
Mindy Nielson: 5-10, G, Centennial, CO/ Regis Jesuit HS
Coriann Wood: 6-1, F, Basin City, WA/Connell HS
2007-08 Season Highlights and Notables
TEAM
-- The captains on the 2007-08 season are seniors Mallary Gillespie-Carling and Lauren Riley-Varley
-- When playing on the road this season, BYU has a 1-4 record.
-- The 55 rebounds by the Cougars vs Fresno State on 11/17/07 are a season high and rank tied
for third place in the program's history.
-- The win over Fresno State improved BYU's all-time record in home
openers to 24-11 and under coach Judkins is now 6-1 in home openers.
-- BYU has had three players score in double figures in three contests to date.
-- The 78 points and the 55 rebounds recorded in the win over Fresno State are the most in both categories to date.
-- In the win over Utah Valley, the team scored 72 points which is second best to date and the 20-point margin of victory
is the most this season.
-- The 20 assists in the win over Utah Valley on 12/08/07 were the most to date.
-- In Saturday's Dec. 8th win over the Wolverines, the 17 steals are a new season best.
-- BYU scored 35 points in the first half vs. Utah Valley, the second most scored in a first half and the fourth
most in any half to date.
-- Starting lineups: Record
Foreman, Carling, Slade, Cheesman, Varley: 2-2
Foreman, Carling, Slade, King, Varley: 1-1
Judkins, Carling, Slade, Wood, Varley: 0-1
Foreman, Carling, Slade, Moeaki, Varley: 1-2
Nielson, Carling, Slade, Moeaki, Varley: 1-0
PLAYER
-- Center Lauren Riley-Varley: picked up back-to-back double doubles in the first two games of this season with 14 points and 11 rebounds against UCSB and 16 points and 13 boards at Arkansas State. The 16 points at Ark. State were season highs to date. Scored 12 points in the loss to New Mexico St. on 12/05/07 for her third double figure game this season and 22nd career double digit contest.
-- Guard Mallary Gillespie-Carling: has scored in double figures in 54 games during her career, seven so far this season and the last three straight. Ranks 16th in BYU's 1,000-point club with 1,137 to date.
-- Guard Mindy Nielson: tallied a season and career-high 15 points at Weber State on 12/12/07/07. Picked up season and career highs in blocks (5), steals, (5), rebounds (6) vs. Utah Valley on 12/08/07.
-- Guard Shawnee Slade: led the team in scoring with 15 points vs. Utah Valley on 12/08/07 marking her 13th career double digit game and her third this season. Grabbed a season and career high 11 rebounds vs. New Mexico State on 12/05/07. The 11 boards were team and game highs as well.
-- Center Cassie King: scored 10 points at Weber State on 12/12/07, a new season high for her.
-- Forward Keilani Moeaki: tallied a career- and game-high 19 points in the game vs. Hartford on 11/20/07. Had two blocks at Weber St. on 12/12/97 for new season and career highs.
-- Forward Coriann Wood: picked up season and career highs in points and rebounds in the game at UConn on 11/29/07 with eight points and five rebounds. She started her first collegiate game at Sacred Heart on 12/01/07.
-- Guard Jazmine Foreman: dished out season and career highs in assists with eight vs. Utah Valley on 12/08/07.
-- Guard Jaime Judkins: dished out three assists in the game at Weber St. on 12/12/07 for new season and career highs.
About This Week's Opponent
UTAH STATE UNIV. - Logan, Utah at 5 p.m. (12/29/07)
This year's team returns three starters and nine letterwinners who finished in sixth place in the WAC last season.The Aggies of Utah State have compiled a 3-7 record to date. They currently have two players scoring in double figures. Junior guard Danyelle Snelgro is averaging 12.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. She's followed by senior guard Taylor Richards who is contributing 10.7 points and 3.4 boards. She's the team's assist leader with a total of 26 to date. Jamelah Brown tops the list in the rebound category, grabbing 5.1 boards per game. Head Coach Reagan Pebley is in her fifth year at the helm of the Aggies' basketball program.
Utah State Probable Starters
Pos. # Name Ht Yr PPG RPG
F 33 Lindsey Shipley 6-0 Jr 7.7 3.1
C 12 Jenny Gross 6-2 Sr 5.8 4.9
G 04 Danyelle Snelgro 5-5 Jr 12.1 3.1
G 10 Jamelah Brown 5-10 Sr 7.7 5.1
G 11 Taylor Richards 5-4 Sr 10.7 3.4
Stat Comparisons BYU USU
Field Goals: .384 .387
Free Throws: .604 .717
Three-Pointers: .271 .363
Points Per Game: 55.6 62.1
Rebounds Per Game: 39.7 32.8
Series History
Record: 24-3 favoring BYU.
Last Meeting: The Cougars and Aggies have not played each other since a game on Feb. 26, 1987 in Provo, Utah. In that game, the Cougars picked up the 99-44 victory.
Media Availability
Team Practice Times - at home
-The BYU team practices at the Marriott Center MWF from 11:30 a.m., to 1:30 p.m. On Tuesday's, practice is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m., and on Thursday's from 11:30 to 2 p.m.
- Coach Judkins and players are available for interviews prior to or after practice. All interviews are scheduled in advance. Norma Collett is the Basketball Communications Director for the team and can be contacted by phone or email.
Contact at: 801-422-4908, office, 801-372-0989, cell, and email norma_collett@byu.edu
Looking Ahead
January starts the MWC regular season and defending MWC Regular Season Champsions BYU prepares to defend its back-to-back league titles. The Cougars open MWC play with a 2 p.m., contest at CSU on Jan. 12, then return home to host UNLV Jan. 16 and Utah Jan. 19. Start times for the home games are 4 and 7 p.m., respectively.