BYU snaps losing streak with 75-49 win over WCC foe Pacific

PROVO, Utah – BYU women's basketball (18-16, 10-3 WCC) snapped its three-game losing streak with its largest margin of victory in conference play in a 75-49 (15-9, 8-5 WCC) win over Pacific at the Marriott Center on Saturday.

BYU vs. Pacific Final Box Score

"It feels nice to get back on track," BYU head coach Jeff Judkins said. "We moved the ball really well and our guards were really sharp today. The pressure was key and we got some easy baskets because of it."

Shaylee Gonzales made 5 of 10 field goal attempts, including a career-high four 3-pointers, to lead BYU with 18 points while also grabbing six rebounds and recording three steals. Paisley Johnson contributed 17 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Babalu Ugwu pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and Sara Hamson blocked a game-high four shots.

Brenna Chase scored two fast-break layups and Gonzales knocked down a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer to give BYU a 9-0 lead over Pacific to start the game. The two guards each added another two points to go along with a layup from Johnson and a putback basket from Hamson to extend the lead to 17-4 midway through the first period. The Cougars capitalized on two steals in the final minute leading to a layup and 3-point shot from Johnson as well as a basket from Gonzales to put BYU up 24-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Gonzales made two baskets from behind the arc and Hamson added a layup to give BYU a 32-11 lead to start the second period. Chase and Caitlyn Alldredge each hit a 3-point jumper to push the Cougars’ advantage to 38-11 with five minutes left in the half. Maria Albiero closed out the period with a layup with 30 seconds left to put BYU up 44-19, matching the most points scored in a half this season for the Cougars.

Hamson scored a layup and free throw to lead the Cougars on a 7-0 run, taking a 51-19 lead to start the second half. Johnson scored a 3-point basket and a pair of free throws to extend the lead 58-23 midway through the third. Ugwu scored five of BYU’s last seven points in the third period maintaining the 35-point advantage 65-30.

Pacific opened the fourth period with an 8-0 run. Signe Glantz stopped the run with a layup for BYU before the Tigers scored another seven points to cut the deficit to 67-47 with three minutes left in the game. Ashley Beckstrand re-extended the lead, scoring three baskets and two free throws for the Cougars’ last eight points, giving BYU the win, 75-49.

The Cougars hit the road to take on Portland on Thursday, Feb. 14, at the Chiles Center. The game will be streamed live on theW.tv and a live stats will be available on the BYU women’s basketball schedule page.

BYU vs. Pacific Postgame Notes

Team

• It was the 11th time BYU has had three players in double-figure scoring: Shaylee Gonzales (18), Paisley Johnson (17) and Brenna Chase (13).

• BYU led by 15, 24-9, after one quarter, its largest lead after the first period this season. BYU finished with a 26-point lead to match its largest of the season at UVU on Nov. 29 and gives the Cougars their largest margin of victory in conference play.

• The Cougars put together an 11-0 run midway through the second quarter en route to tying their season-high for points in the first half with 44, which they scored at Pacific on Jan. 10.

• BYU dominated the paint in the first half, with 27-17 and 16-8 advantages in rebounds and points in the paint, respectively. BYU finished with 46 rebounds, its highest total in conference play. The Cougars also held a wide margin in the assist category, with a 13-5 advantage in the game.

• All available Cougar players saw action in the home win over Pacific.

Player

• Shaylee Gonzales had 15 points in the first half, including three 3-pointers and a perfect 4 of 4 on free throws. She reached a new career high with four 3-pointers early in the second half and finished with 18 points, six rebounds and three steals.

• Brenna Chase had 11 points in the first half alone and finished with 13, in addition to two rebounds, three assists and a steal.

• Paisley Johnson had a full stat line with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.

• Babalu Ugwu led the team in rebounds with eight, while Sara Hamson led in blocks with four.