Sara Hamson records 300th career block in 60-39 win over Saint Mary's

PROVO, UT – Sara Hamson became the third player in program history to reach 300 career blocks in an impressive 60-39 win against Saint Mary's on Thursday at the Marriott Center.

BYU vs. Saint Mary’s Final Box Score

​"Tonight was a great team effort," BYU head coach Jeff Judkins said. "I thought the first quarter was one of our best quarters we've played all year, both offensively and defensively. We moved the ball and took advantage of what we had. Brenna came out ready to play tonight. The second half was a little slower, possibly because we were ahead. We forced too many things and on the defensive end, we weren't as sharp as earlier. Eventually, we got some baskets we needed that helped."

With five blocks on the night, Hamson became the third player in program history to reach 300 career blocks. She joins her sister, Jennifer Hamson, who recorded 340 career blocks, and her mother, Tresa Spaulding Hamson, who holds BYU’s all-time career blocks record with 494.

Brenna Chase Drollinger tallied 18 points to lead all scorers, while also adding eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Jasmine Moody was next with 10 points, three rebounds and one block.

Guards Drollinger, Paisley Johnson and Maria Albiero were quick to score the first points of the night during a 7-0 scoring run. Making her first career start, Malli Valgardson Perri drained a three to extend their scoring lead to 10-0, holding SMC scoreless five minutes into the first quarter.

Baskets by Hamson and Albiero kept BYU's first-quarter shooting percentage at an impressive 62.5 percent, with back-to-back buckets from Drollinger and Johnson extending the Cougars' lead to 25-7.

The second quarter started with a Gael three-pointer, but BYU answered back quickly with back-to-back layups by Jasmine Moody and Albiero. The Cougars continued their scoring drive with buckets from Shalae Salmon and Drollinger, bringing the lead to 36-14 at the end of the first half. The Cougar defense held SMU to just 5 of 32 shooting from the field in the first half.

The third quarter scoring started in SMC’s favor, but it wasn’t long before Hamson answered back with a shot in the paint. She then picked up her fifth block of the night and 300th of her career soon after.

After a scoring drive by the Gaels shortened the Cougars' lead to 20 points, an offensive rebound and put-back by Moody shifted the momentum. A layup by Drollinger finished off the quarter and gave BYU a 47-23 advantage.

The fourth quarter started hot with back-to-back buckets by Moody, breaking the Gaels' seven-point scoring drive. An assist from Johnson set up Hamson for another layup, bringing the score to 53-36. Buckets from Drollinger and Salmon sealed the 60-39 win.

The Cougars play again at home Saturday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. MDT at the Marriott Center against Pacific. The game will be broadcast live on BYUtv and on the BYUTv App. Tickets are available at byutickets.com.

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE: Head Coach Jeff Judkins

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE: Sara Hamson, Brenna Drollinger

Photo Story - Daily Universe (BYU vs. SMC)

Team Notes

• The Cougars featured their fifth different starting lineup of the season, with Malli Valgardson Perri making her first career start.
• Two players reached double figures for the sixth time this season, with Brenna Chase Drollinger scoring 18 and Jasmine Moody tallying 10.
• BYU shot 38 percent from the field, 35 percent from three-point range and 50 percent from the free-throw line.
• The Cougars dominated down low, scoring 28 points in the paint to Saint Mary’s 14.
• BYU tallied nine fast-break points while the Gaels had none.
• In assists, the Cougars dished out 19 compared to Saint Mary’s nine.
• BYU held the advantage in blocks, 9-2, and in steals, 7-3.
• The Cougar bench outscored the Gaels’ bench 17-15.

Player Notes

• Sara Hamson became the third player in program history to reach 300 career blocks, joining her mother, Tresa (494), and her sister, Jennifer (340). She recorded four points, seven rebounds, five blocks and two assists on the game.
• Brenna Drollinger finished the first half with 10 points to go along with seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. She ended the game with a game-high 18 points and added eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
• Malli Perri recorded her first career start and tallied six points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block on the night.
• Jasmine Moody finished the night with 10 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block.
• Paisley Johnson contributed eight points while also adding three rebounds, three assists and one steal.