PROVO, Utah (Feb. 13) -- The BYU women basketball team kicked off the second half of Mountain West Conference play on Wednesday, defeating Colorado State 59-44. With the win, the Cougars improve to 12-9 on the season and 6-3 in conference play.

"We've done well in past years playing better in the second half of conference play," said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins. "Hopefully we can do that again. I feel we're getting better."

Shawnee Slade led three Cougars scoring in double figures with 14 points. Lauren Riley-Varley contributed 11 points and Ashley Cheesman added 10 points. Varley also brought down a team-high 11 rebound, marking her fourth double-double of the season.

To begin the game, CSU's Sara Hunter scored a three-pointer on her team's first possession, giving the Rams their only lead of the game. The Cougars tied the game with just over 18 minutes remaining the first half, and improved their effort defensively, holding the Rams scoreless for the next 10 minutes.

CSU would go on a six-point run of its own, before a jumper by Coriann Wood with 7:27 remaining in the first half brought the score to 16-9. Two back-to-back baskets quickly extended the Cougars' lead to double digits.

"When we score early, our defensive intensity is better," said Judkins. "When things aren't going right on the offensive end, we need to work on still maintaining that same intensity."

Slade's make from behind the arc put the Cougars up by 13 points with 1:45 remaining in the half. At the break, the Rams were held to 17 percent shooting from the field.

Hot shooting lifted BYU to start the second half. Once again, CSU began with a made three-pointer, but Slade immediately answered with one of her own on the Cougars' next possession. The junior, along with Varley combined for BYU's next six points, bringing the score to 33-18.

The Cougars cooled down after two quick CSU baskets with 15:16 remaining in the game. BYU's came back to 40-28 on back-to-back three-pointers by Jazmine Foreman and Wood.

The Rams continued to make shots, coming to within three points at 40-37 with 6:42 to play. BYU refused to relinquish its lead however, scoring six straight points, with makes by Varley, Slade and Mallary Gillespie-Carling.

"[CSU] got us standing around a lot," said Judkins. "We tried a lot of different looks, but when I decided to change to motion, we started getting easier shots and better movement."

Junior Cassie King hit two crucial free-throws with just under four minutes remaining in the game to put BYU up 48-40. Both teams traded baskets back-and-forth before a jump ball was called, going the Cougars' way. An intentional foul call put Chessman at the charity stripe, where she went 2-for-2 with 1:13 left in the game.

Up next the Cougars will head to Las Vegas to take on UNLV on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. PT.

Official Basketball Box Score
Colorado State vs Brigham Young Univer
02-13-08 7:00 PM at MARRIOTT CTR, BYU, PROVO UT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISITORS: Colorado State 2-21; 0-10
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
03 UZOMAH, Amaka....... f  1-4    0-0    1-2    3  9 12   5   3  0  1  0  0  27
05 YOUNG, Lauren....... f  1-5    0-1    1-2    1  2  3   1   3  0  1  1  0  25
11 QUEEN, Elle......... f  3-9    0-0    2-2    3  3  6   2   8  3  1  0  3  35
04 HUNTER, Sara........ g  4-19   2-10   0-0    0  3  3   0  10  1  3  0  1  33
21 NEAL, Emily......... g  3-9    2-4    0-0    1  2  3   1   8  0  3  0  0  24
02 BARBEE,Bonnie.......    1-2    1-2    0-0    0  0  0   0   3  0  1  0  0   3
13 MINOR, Britney......    1-2    0-0    2-2    1  2  3   0   4  0  1  0  1  17
15 BEEMER, Kandy.......    0-2    0-2    0-0    0  1  1   0   0  0  0  0  0   5
23 SIMMONS, Zoi........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  1  0  0  0+
32 REIMINK, Carine.....    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0  0+
35 CORNELL, Juanise....    1-8    0-0    3-6    3  4  7   3   5  2  0  0  0  31
   TEAM................                         3  2  5
   Totals..............   15-60   5-19   9-14  15 28 43  12  44  6 12  1  5 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  5-29 17.2%   2nd Half: 10-31 32.3%   Game: 25.0%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  2-11 18.2%   2nd Half:  3-8  37.5%   Game: 26.3%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  3-4  75.0%   2nd Half:  6-10 60.0%   Game: 64.3%    2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME TEAM: Brigham Young Univer 12-9; 6-3
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
05 CHEESMAN, Ashley.... f  3-6    0-0    4-4    1  4  5   1  10  0  1  0  1  19
32 SLADE, Shawnee...... f  6-13   2-6    0-0    0  3  3   1  14  1  1  0  0  34
52 VARLEY, Lauren...... c  5-7    0-0    1-2    3  8 11   3  11  1  3  2  0  22
22 NIELSON, Mindy...... g  1-6    0-3    1-2    0  2  2   3   3  9  3  1  2  33
30 CARLING, Mallary.... g  2-8    1-4    0-2    0  4  4   2   5  4  1  0  2  36
03 FOREMAN, Jazmine....    1-2    1-2    0-0    0  3  3   0   3  2  1  0  0   9
11 JACKSON, AMY........    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0   0
13 JUDKINS, Jaime......    0-2    0-2    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0   4
14 RED, Sarah..........    1-3    1-1    0-0    0  3  3   1   3  0  0  0  0   6
23 WOOD, Coriann.......    2-3    1-2    0-0    0  2  2   1   5  0  0  0  0  11
45 MOEAKI, Keilani.....    0-1    0-0    0-0    1  1  2   1   0  0  0  0  1  12
54 KING, Cassie........    1-2    0-0    3-4    1  1  2   3   5  0  2  1  0  14
55 MARKS, Megan........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0  0+
   TEAM................                         1  2  3
   Totals..............   22-54   6-20   9-14   7 33 40  16  59 17 12  4  6 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  9-31 29.0%   2nd Half: 13-23 56.5%   Game: 40.7%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  3-12 25.0%   2nd Half:  3-8  37.5%   Game: 30.0%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  3-7  42.9%   2nd Half:  6-7  85.7%   Game: 64.3%    2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials: MICHAEL PRICE, SHELLEY NAKASONE, CONNIE PARDUE
Technical fouls: Colorado State-TEAM. Brigham Young Univer-None.
Attendance: 605
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
Colorado State................   15   29  -   44
Brigham Young Univer..........   24   35  -   59
OFFICIAL FINAL
Points in the paint-CS 14,BY 30. Points off turnovers-CS 10,BY 15.
2nd chance points-CS 9,BY 7. Fast break points-CS 2,BY 0.
Bench points-CS 12,BY 16. Score tied-1 time. Lead changed-1 time.
Last FG-CS 2nd-01:56, BY 2nd-00:22.
Largest lead-CS by 3 1st-19:47, BY by 15 2nd-16:48.

Heading into the second half of league action, BYU's women's hoops team is in fourth place, and plays a home and an away game. BYU (11-9, 5-3) hosts CSU (2-20, 0-9) on Wed. Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. They then battle UNLV ( 7-15, 3-6), on Sat. Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. MT. The Rams are in ninth place, while the Rebels come in seventh in this week's MWC standings.

Game #21- 02/13/08: BYU vs. CSU Time: 7:00 p.m. MT Arena: Marriott Center

Game #22- 02/16/08: BYU @ UNLV Time: 8:00 p.m. MT Arena: Cox Pavilion

Following the Cougars --

Television: The BYU-CSU will air live on BYUTV. Jarom Jordan, and Cougar standout Kristin Kozlowski will call the action

Radio: The BYU vs. CSU will air tape delay at approx. 9 p.m., on KQMB, 96.7 FM Radio. The game at UNLV will be taken in progress at approx., 9 p.m., immediately following the conclusion of the men's game against UNLV. Jay Monsen will call the action for the games.

Internet: The Wed., Feb. 13 contest will be tape delay beginning at approx., at 9 p.m. on the internet at http://www.byuradio.org/streaming. The Sat. Feb. 16 game at UNLV will be taken in progress at approx., 9 p.m., immediately following the conclusion of the men's game vs. UNLV.

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. NamePos. Ht.Yr.PPGRPG

22 Mindy NielsonG5-10Fr7.23.1

30 Mallary G. CarlingG5-10Sr14.63.8

32 Shawnee SladeF 5-11Jr7.35.8

5 Ashley CheesmanF 6-0Sr1.91.9

52 Lauren R. VarleyC6-3Sr7.48.4

Reserve Players

No. NamePos. Ht.Yr.PPGRPG

45 Keilani MoeakiF6-2Fr5.03.7

54 Cassie KingF6-3Jr4.83.0

23 Coriann WoodF6-1Fr3.22.2

14 Sarah RedG/F5-11Jr (rs) 2.20.1

3 Jazmine ForemanG5-5Fr2.10.9

13 Jaime JudkinsG5-6So1.00.6

55 Megan MarksF6-2Fr0.41.1

0 Lauren NicholsF6-0Fr (rs)0.40.1

Team Stats -- 2007-08

-- Shooting from the field: (.392, 416-1061)

-- Shooting from the free-throw line: (.649, 179-276)

-- Shooting from three-point line: (.305, 99-325)

-- Average points per game: 55.5

-- Average rebounds per game: 39.1

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 Jaime 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 HSMindy 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 4-6 record to date.

-- The 56-42 home victory over No.15 Wyoming marked the first time the Cougars have defeated a ranked opponent since the 55-52 upset against then No. 5 Stanford in Palo Alto Calif., in the 2007 Preseason WNIT on11/13/06. BYU was ranked No. 24 at that time.

-- With the 67 points scored vs. UNLV on 01/16/08, BYU improved to 7-0 this season when scoring at least 60 points a game.

-- The 6,206 fans in attendance in the Marriott Center for the Utah game on 01/19/08 set a new school 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 four 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 turnovers, the team had season lows of just 13 in each of its last two games vs. MWC opponents (Wyoming on 2/2/08 and AF on 1/30/08).

-- The team grabbed a game high 49 boards in the win at UNM on 1/26/08, marking the third best rebound output of the season and the best over an MWC foe 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 the Dec. 8th win over the Wolverines, the 17 steals were 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.

-- The Cougars held CSU to 39 total points in the first league game of the year on 1/12/08, the lowest total points scored by an opponent to date. The Rams only scored 16 points in the first half of action, the lowest by an opponent 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:4-2

Nielson, Carling, Slade, Chessman, Varley:3-1

PLAYER

-- Center Lauren Riley-Varley: In the home game vs. AF picked up new season and career highs in rebounds with 15. Versus UNLV on 1/16/08, she picked up her third double double of the season and eighth overall with the 14 points and 11 rebounds. She 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. St., were season highs to date. Varley scored 10 points in the game at Utah St., on 12/29/07 for her fourth double figure game this season and 23rd career double digit contest.

-- Guard Mallary Gillespie-Carling: Named MWC Player of the Week on Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. Has scored in double figures in 62 games during her career, 15 so far this year including the 11 points in the game at TCU on 2/5/08. She currently ranks 14th in BYU's 1,000-point club with 1,297 as of 2/11/08. Carling has scored 20-plus points five times this season including four times against MWC opponents. In the home game vs. Utah on 01/19/08 she tallied five treys for new season highs. At home vs. UNLV on 1/16/08, she scored 17 first-half points, the most she has scored in any half this season, and her 10 free throws were the most she has made in any game during her career. In the three-point field goals made category, ranks second with a career total of 229, and 47 to date.

-- Guard Mindy Nielson: Tallied a season and career-high 15 points at Weber State on 12/12//07. Picked up season and career highs in blocks (5), steals, (5), rebounds (6) vs. Utah Valley St. on 12/08/07. She has scored in double digits in six contests to date, most recently, a team-high 14 points in the road game at TCU on 2/5/08.

-- Guard Shawnee Slade: Grabbed new season and career highs in rebounds with 12 vs. Wyoming on 2/2/08, and has recorded eight or more rebounds in seven games this season. Scored 12 points in the game at UNM on 01/26/08 for her 16th career double digit contest, her fifth this season and first in MWC action. She led the team in scoring with 15 points vs. Utah Valley on 12/08/07 marking her 13th career double digit game contest. 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. Picked up 10 points vs. UCLA on 12/15/07.

-- Center Cassie King: In the home game vs. Wyoming she scored 10 points marking her third double digit game this season. Her five field goals in the game were career highs and she had perfect shooting going 5-5. She scored 13 points vs. UCLA on 12/15/07 for new career highs in points. Grabbed a season-high six rebounds vs. Utah Valley St., on 12/08/07. In the game vs. UNLV she tied a season high with six boards.

-- 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. Has scored in double figures in three games to date.

-- Forward Coriann Wood: Picked up season and career highs in points with 13 in the league game at CSU on 01/12/08. In that same game, she tallied season and career highs in three-pointers with three. She grabbed season and career highs in rebounds in the game at UConn on 11/29/07 with five boards. Wood 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: Started in the game at Sacred Heart on 12/01/07. Dished out three assists in the game at Weber St. on 12/12/07 for new season and career highs.

About This Week's League Opponents

CSU - Provo, Utah at 7 p.m. (02/13/08)

The Rams begin the second half of MWC action in last place with a 0-9 and 2-20 record. Senior guard Sara Hunter tops the list in scoring for CSU with her team high 10.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Sophomore forward Juanise Cornell leads in the rebound category grabbing 6.7 boards per contest while freshman Elle Queen is the team's assist leader dishing out a total of 35 to date. Head Coach Jen Warden is in her third season with the CSU women's basketball program.

CSU Probable Starters

Pos.No.NameHtYrPPGRPG

F5Lauren Young6-2Fr5.22.4

F11Elle Queen6-0 Fr5.84.8

F/G13Britney Minor5-10 Jr5.73.3

F/G35Juanise Cornell5-10 So7.66.7

G4Sara Hunter5-6Sr10.33.2

Stat Comparisons BYUCSU

Field Goals:.392.340

Free Throws:.649.648

Three-Pointers:.305.339

Points Per Game:55.555.3

Rebounds Per Game:39.137.2

Series History

Record: 46-22 favoring BYU.

Last Meeting: These two MWC foes met earlier in the season in Ft. Collins with the Cougars getting the 60-39 victory. In that game, the freshmen duo of Coriann Wood and Mindy Nielson led the BYU effort with 13 and 11 points respectively. Senior center Lauren Varley topped the list in rebounds with a team and game high 14 boards. When playing in the Marriott Center, CSU has a 6-24 record, their last win in Provo dates back to 2/14/04, a 72-64 Ram victory.

UNLV - Las Vegas, NV at 7 p.m. (02/16/08)

The Rebels of UNLV have posted a 3-6, 7-15 record and are in seventh place heading into this week's MWC action. They play at Air Force on Wed., Feb. 13 prior to hosting BYU Saturday night. For the Rebels, Sequoia Holmes is one of two players scoring in double digits with a total of 18.1 points. She also leads in rebounds and assists with 7.0 boards and 2.5 assists a game. Junior center Shamela Hampton contributes with 10.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. Regina Miller has been UNLV's women's basketball head coach for the past nine seasons.

UNLV Probable Starters

Pos.No.NameHtYrPPGRPG

F12Sequoia Holmes6-1Sr18.17.0

F25Raquel Jupiter6-1 Jr1.60.1

C24Shamela Hampton 6-3Jr10.76.6

G01Dominique Harris5-10 Jr8.04.0

G11Allison Holiday5-6So3.71.5

Stat Comparisons BYUUNLV

Field Goals:.392.389

Free Throws:.649.641

Three-Pointers:.305.270

Points Per Game:55.559.2

Rebounds Per Game:39.136.5

Series History

Record: 21-10 favoring BYU.

Last Meeting: During the first meeting between these two teams back on Jan. 16, the Rebels and Cougars met in Provo where BYU picked up the 67-55 victory. Team co-captain Mallary Carling picked up a season-high 26 points in the game while the other co-captain Lauren Varley notched her third season and eighth double-double with 14 points and 11 boards.

TRAVEL PLANS - (To Las Vegas)

FLIGHT: Southwest # 1276 departs Salt Lake City on Fri., Feb. 15 at 2:40 p.m., arriving in Las Vegas at 3 p.m.

FLIGHT: Southwest # 1146 departs Las Vegas at 8:45 a.m., arriving in Salt Lake City at 11:05 a.m.

TEAM HOTEL: Hyatt Place, 4520 Paradise Road, 702-369-3366, 702-369-0009, fax.

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

BYU makes a short trip to Salt Lake City to battle instate rival and MWC foe Utah on Tues. Feb. 19 at 8 p.m., from the Huntsman Center. That game will air live nationally on CSTV. The team then hosts SDSU on Sat. Feb. 23 in a 2 p.m. start.