Hoops Season Begins With Exhibition Game

PROVO -- The 2001-2002 BYU women's basketball season is set to tip off this Saturday in an exhibition game against Mirable Banska Bystrica (Slovakia). Tip off is at 4 p.m. on Sat. Nov. 3 at the Marriott Center.

Jeff Judkins takes over the helm of the women's program this season. The Cougars, who posted a 19-13, 8-6 record last year return four starters and nine letterwinners. The BYU roster is headlined by All-American Erin Thorn who led the team in scoring with 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a game. Also back for their final season are seniors Stacy Jensen and Lisa Osguthorpe.

On the newcomer list for the Cougars this season is USA Today Player of the Year Danielle Cheesman from Orem and Mountain View High School who will team up with her sophomore sister Heather Cheesman. Senior guard/forward combo Melanie Pearson will finish her collegiate career at BYU after transferring from UCLA. She'll be joined by redshirt transfer Lisa Hansen a 6-5 junior center from Bakersfield, California and UCSB. Ashleigh Chamberlain from Kanab, Utah who transferred to the Cougar program after two seasons at UVSC will also be a significant contributor to the team. Kali Taylor from Lyman, Utah is the other freshman on the team.

"We're excited to play a team after several weeks of playing each other," said head coach Jeff Judkins. "This game will give us an opportunity to get a look at our team, see where we're at and try out several starting lineups."

The women's exhibition game on Saturday afternoon will be followed by the men's varsity preview.