PROVO -- In a hard fought game, the BYU women's basketball team scraped by San Diego State, with a 46-43 victory Saturday in the Marriott Center.

Senior Mallary Gillespie-Carling led the Cougars with 20 points. She now has 64 double-figure games in her career with 17 this season.

"I am real happy with the outcome today," said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins. "I have learned in coaching that you enjoy a win no matter how it comes. We didn't play the kind of basketball we know how to play, but a lot of kids stepped up where they were needed."

The Aztecs got out to an early lead, forcing the Cougars to follow and the two teams battled back and forth. SDSU first went on six-point run, but BYU responded with a 6-0 run of its own coming within one basket of the Aztecs.

Countering the Cougars' effort, the Aztecs answered with a 7-0 run. At 10:24 BYU once again reacted to SDSU as the Cougars went on seven-point run, including a three-point shot made by Gillespie-Carling. At 8:16 BYU trailed the Aztecs 15-17.

Nearly scoreless in the next six minutes of the game, both teams struggle to take control. At 2:13 Gillespie-Carling dropped another three-point basket followed with a breakaway lay in by freshman Mindy Nielson which catapulted the Cougars into the lead 20-19. SDSU answered with a basket at 1:15, but a free throw basket by Cassie King left the game tied 21-21 at the end of the first half. The first-half tie marks the only tie the team has had at the half all season.

Much like the first the two teams toiled defensively in the second half, with only four baskets made in nine minutes. With 11:28 left in the game Coriann Wood sunk a three pointer to put the Cougars in the lead 28-25. The struggle continued with the score tied five times in the second half alone.

Between 6:41 and 1:26 Gillespie-Carling scored 10 consecutive points as the Cougars allowed the Aztecs only seven. With 31 seconds left, Nielson dropped a basket which put the Cougars at a 45-40 lead. Ashley Chessman solidified the three-point win with a free throw basket in the last seconds of the game.

"They played hard defensively, they wanted the win and I am glad they pulled it off in the end," said Judkins.

BYU will stay home to go head-to-head with the New Mexico State Aggies on Tuesday. The game starts at 6 p.m. in the Marriott Center.

Official Basketball Box Score
SAN DIEGO STATE vs Brigham Young Univer
02-23-08 2:00 PM at MARRIOTT CTR, BYU, PROVO UT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISITORS: SAN DIEGO STATE 13-12;4-9
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
03 DAVIS, Quenese...... *  1-4    1-1    0-0    1  1  2   0   3  2  4  0  0  26
05 MORRIS, Jene........ *  5-19   2-6    2-2    4  1  5   3  14  6  7  0  2  36
23 DIXON, Lasandra..... *  2-5    0-1    0-0    0  1  1   3   4  0  1  0  2  31
32 JOHNSON, Paris...... *  4-10   0-0    0-0    2  4  6   4   8  0  4  1  3  29
34  DUFFY, Allison..... *  4-15   0-0    0-0    3  3  6   3   8  3  3  0  3  34
02 DAVIS, Coco.........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   0   0  0  1  0  0   3
04 SPINARDI, Kim.......    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   1   0  0  3  0  0  10
11 EVELAND, Kate.......    1-3    0-1    0-0    0  1  1   0   2  1  0  0  0  16
25 CLAY, Shannon.......    2-6    0-0    0-0    2  6  8   1   4  0  0  0  3  15
   TEAM................                         4  4  8
   Totals..............   19-62   3-9    2-2   16 23 39  15  43 12 23  1 13 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 10-30 33.3%   2nd Half:  9-32 28.1%   Game: 30.6%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  1-4  25.0%   2nd Half:  2-5  40.0%   Game: 33.3%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  0-0   0.0%   2nd Half:  2-2  100 %   Game: 100 %    0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME TEAM: Brigham Young Univer 13-11;7-5
                          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  1-3    0-0    1-4    2  3  5   1   3  3  3  0  2  20
32 SLADE, Shawnee...... f  1-5    0-1    0-0    1  3  4   0   2  4  0  1  2  30
52 VARLEY, Lauren...... c  2-5    0-0    0-0    3  6  9   2   4  1  2  1  0  32
22 NIELSON, Mindy...... g  3-7    0-3    0-0    0  1  1   3   6  4  8  1  2  31
30 CARLING, Mallary.... g  7-16   2-6    4-5    0  3  3   2  20  2  3  0  3  36
03 FOREMAN, Jazmine....    1-3    0-1    0-0    1  0  1   2   2  0  4  0  0  14
14 RED, Sarah..........    0-2    0-1    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  1   6
23 WOOD, Coriann.......    3-5    1-2    1-1    1  4  5   0   8  0  4  1  1  14
45 MOEAKI, Keilani.....    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   1   0  0  1  0  0  12
54 KING, Cassie........    0-0    0-0    1-2    0  2  2   1   1  0  0  0  0   5
   TEAM................                            4  4
   Totals..............   18-47   3-14   7-12   8 27 35  12  46 14 25  4 11 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  9-25 36.0%   2nd Half:  9-22 40.9%   Game: 38.3%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  2-7  28.6%   2nd Half:  1-7  14.3%   Game: 21.4%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  1-4  25.0%   2nd Half:  6-8  75.0%   Game: 58.3%    2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials: ROBERT STRONG, LAURA RAHE, KEN SOWBY
Technical fouls: SAN DIEGO STATE-None. Brigham Young Univer-None.
Attendance: 766
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
SAN DIEGO STATE...............   21   22  -   43
Brigham Young Univer..........   21   25  -   46
OFFICIAL FINAL
Points in the paint-SD 22,BY 22. Points off turnovers-SD 13,BY 11.
2nd chance points-SD 11,BY 2. Fast break points-SD 0,BY 2.
Bench points-SD 6,BY 11. Score tied-6 times. Lead changed-9 times.
Last FG-SD 2nd-01:04, BY 2nd-00:32.
Largest lead-SD by 9 1st-10:58, BY by 4 2nd-18:55.

Two more league games are on tap for BYU's women's basketball team. The Cougars (12-10, 6-4) travel to Salt Lake City on Tues. Feb. 19 for a game against instate rival Utah ( 21-3, 10-0), the second meeting between the two MWC foes and the second contest as part of the Deseret First Duel Rivalry Series. BYU then returns to the Marriott Center to host SDSU (13-10, 4-7) on Sat. Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.

In this week's MWC standings, Utah is in first, BYU in fourth, and SDSU is tied for sixth place.

Game #23- 02/19/08: BYU @ UTAH Time: 8:00 p.m. MT Arena: Huntsman Center

Game #24- 02/23/08: BYU vs. SDSU Time: 2:00 p.m. MT Arena: Marriott Center

Following the Cougars --

Television: Tuesday night's game between BYU and Utah at the Huntsman Center will air live nationally on CSTV. Ann Schatz and Tammy Blackburn will call the action.

Radio: Both games will air live on KQMB 96.7 FM.

Internet: Both league contests this week can be heard live on the internet at byuradio.org/streaming. Jay Monsen will call the action for the audio streaming and FM radio broadcasts.

Live stats: All of the games can be accessed with the live stats link by logging onto: 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 NielsonG5-10Fr7.43.0

30 Mallary G. CarlingG5-10Sr14.23.9

32 Shawnee SladeF 5-11Jr7.75.6

5 Ashley CheesmanF 6-0Sr2.12.1

52 Lauren R. VarleyC6-3Sr7.78.7

Reserve Players

No. NamePos. Ht.Yr.PPGRPG

45 Keilani MoeakiF6-2Fr4.53.5

54 Cassie KingF6-3Jr4.93.1

23 Coriann WoodF6-1Fr3.22.1

14 Sarah RedG/F5-11Jr (rs) 2.50.3

3 Jazmine ForemanG5-5Fr2.11.0

13 Jaime JudkinsG5-6So0.90.6

55 Megan MarksF6-2Fr0.31.0

0 Lauren NicholsF6-0Fr (rs) 0.40.1

Team Stats -- 2007-08

-- Shooting from the field: (.391, 462-1182)

-- Shooting from the free-throw line: (.657, 199-303)

-- Shooting from three-point line: (.308, 114-370)

-- Average points per game: 56.2

-- Average rebounds per game: 39.5

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 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 on 11/13/06. 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.

-- The 78 points and the 55 rebounds recorded in the win over Fresno State are the most in both categories to date.

-- For the first time this season four of BYU's five starters fouled out of the game at UNLV on 2/16/08.

-- The team grabbed 48 rebounds in the game at UNLV on 2/16/08 marking the second best outrebounding game to date during MWC action. They grabbed 49 rebounds at UNM on 1/26/08.

-- The nine three pointers made at UNLV on 216/08 were the most against and MWC opponent to date and tied a season high. BYU also had nine treys vs. UCLA on 12/15/07.

--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. In the second meeting between the two teams on 2/13/08 CSU scored 15 points in the first half.

-- Scoring Machine:

--Games with two players scoring in double figures- (8) UCSB, Ark. State, New Mexico State, UVU, at CSU on 1/12/08, vs. UNLV on 1/16/08, UNM, TCU.

--Games with three players scoring in double figures- (5) Fresno State, Weber State, Utah State, Wyoming, and vs. CSU on 2/13/08.

--Games with four players scoring in double figures- (2) UCLA and at UNLV on 2/16/08.

-- 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:4-2

PLAYER

-- Center Lauren Riley-Varley: Recorded her fifth double double of the year and 10th career with 10 points and team high 13 rebounds at UNLV on 2/16/08. Added her fourth double double of the season and ninth career with 11 points and 11 rebounds vs. CSU on 2/13/08. 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 63 games during her career, 16 so far this year including the 16 points in the game at UNLV on 2/16/08. She currently ranks 14th in BYU's 1,000-point club with 1,318 as of 2/17/08. 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 233, and 51 to date.

-- Guard Mindy Nielson: Scored a new season and career high in points with 16 at UNLV on 2/16/08 marking her seventh double figure contest of the year. Dished out a season high nine assists in the game vs. CSU on 2/13/08. Tallied 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.

-- 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. Tallied 11 points in the contest at UNLV on 2/16/08 for her 18th career, seventh season, and third league double digit game. Scored 14 points in the game vs. CSU on 2/13/08 marking her 17th career double digit contest, her sixth this year and the second 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.

-- 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.

--Guard/Forward Sarah Red: Grabbed a season and career high three boards vs. CSU on 2/13/08.

-- Forward Ashley Cheesman: Tallied new season and BYU career high in points with 10 vs. CSU on 2/13/08.

About This Week's League Opponents

UTAH - Salt Lake City, Utah at 8 p.m. (02/19/08)

The Utes and Cougars battle in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night in the second meeting between the two MWC foes and for the second time in the 2007-08 Deseret First Duel Rivarly Series. Utah is currently in first place in this week's league standings with a perfect 10-0 record, are ranked 19/20, and have an 21-3 overall record. Three players score in double figures led by Leilani Mitchell with 17.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. Morgan Warburton follows with 17.2 points and 5.8 boards. Kalee Whipple contributes with 14.3 points and grabs a team high 6.8 boards per game.

UTAH Probable Starters

Pos.No.NameHtYrPPGRPG

F2Kalee Whipple6-0So14.36.8

F31Katie King6-1 Jr7.25.1

F45Jessica Perry6-3Sr6.15.3

G11Leilani Mitchell5-5 Sr17.33.9

G15Morgan Warburton5-11Jr17.25.8

Stat Comparisons BYUUT

Field Goals:.391.477

Free Throws:.657.743

Three-Pointers:.308.393

Points Per Game:56.269.5

Rebounds Per Game:39.537.9

Series History

Record: 33-57 favoring Utah.

Last Meeting: During the first meeting between these two instate rivals and MWC foes, Utah defeated BYU in Provo 80-49 on 1/19/08. When playing at the Huntsman Center, the Cougars have an 8-28 record with their last win on 1/7/06 a 61-60 BYU victory.

THE DESERET FIRST DUEL RIVALRY SERIES

The 2007-08 season marks the first year of the newly created Deseret First Duel presented by Deseret First Credit Union.

The term Deseret refers to the original name of the territory of Utah (State of Deseret) and is an appropriate name for an athletic rivalry that dates back to the 1890s. The term Duel refers to a contest between two parties to decide a point of honor. Blending the two terms is the ideal name for a formalized series.

The rivalry series includes competition in the 12 sports the two universities compete head-to-head during regular-season play.The Deseret First Duel uses a system that awards points to the winner of each head-to-head competition. A team trophy is awarded to the individual winner of each sport -- football, basketball, softball, etc. Points won by the individual sports count toward each school's overall total. At the conclusion of each school year, a granite traveling trophy will be awarded to the overall rivalry series champion.

Both universities have a Deseret First Duel web link on their respective athletic websites (byucougars.com and utahutes.com). The website provides scores, point totals, upcoming rivalry games and special online offers, including the ability to enter to win the Ultimate Fan Experience.

Deseret First Credit Union, founded in 1955, operates 11 branches from Logan to St. George, has more than 50,000 members and over $417 million in assets. Deseret First is a full-service credit union offering deposit and loan accounts, insurance, investments, SBA loans and more.

Deseret First Duel Rivalry Series Standings: BYU leads 23-14

SAN DIEGO STATE - Provo, Utah at 2 p.m. (02/23/08)

SDSU comes to Provo with a 13-10, 4-7 record and in sixth place in this week's MWC standings. They host Wyoming on Wednesday, Feb. 20 before making the trip to Provo for Saturday afternoon's contest. Three Aztecs are scoring in double figures with 13.8 points from Jene Morris. She's followed by Paris Johnson who is tallying 12.1 points and is grabbing a team high 6.7 boards per game. Allison Duffy also contributes with 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest. Quenese Davis tops the list in assists with a total of 112 to date. Beth Burns is in her 11th season with the SDSU women's basketball program.

SDSU Probable Starters

Pos.No.NameHtYrPPGRPG

F22Shanna Demus5-8Sr6.13.1

F34Allison Duffy6-2 Fr10.35.5

C32Paris Johnson6-4Fr12.16.7

G03Quenese Davis5-9 So8.63.1

G05Jene Morris5-9So13.82.8

Stat Comparisons BYUSD

Field Goals:.391.426

Free Throws:.657.678

Three-Pointers:.308.326

Points Per Game:56.266.3

Rebounds Per Game:39.534.1

Series History

Record: 24-10 favoring BYU.

Last Meeting: In the first game between the Cougars and Aztecs, SDSU beat BYU in San Diego 62-39 on 1/23/08. When playing in the Marriott Center, SDSU has a 2-13 record. The last time they won in Provo was on 1/14/95 when both teams were members of the WAC, a 63-55 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

On Tuesday, Feb. 26 the Cougar women host New Mexico in a 7 p.m. tip off, a game that can be seen live on The Mtn. BYU then travels to Colorado Springs where they will battle the Air Force Falcons on Sat. Mar. 1 at 2 p.m.