Cougar Hoopsters Lose Close Five-Point Game to Top Ranked Arizona

Tucson, AZ -- Erin Thorn's career-high 36 points kept BYU's women's basketball team in the game for almost the entire 40 minutes against Arizona, but the Cougars could not hold off the Wildcats in the final seconds, losing by just five points, 76-71 Saturday.

Thorn led all scores and she tied the school record for three-pointers with eight in the contest. The game was the season opener for both teams. BYU is now 0-1 on the year while Arizona is 1-0.

"Our girls played and battle hard throughout the game," said BYU head coach Trent Shippen. "We made some mistakes early in the game, but I'm proud of the way the girls battled to keep us in the game."

Free-throws were a big difference in the game with the Cougars getting 11 of 14 to the Wildcats 30 of 45. Caroline Beus and Chanell Rose both fouled out in the contest for BYU with Beus leading in the rebound category with eight. The Cougars shot 40 percent from the field and 85 percent from the line.

Four players scored in double figures for Arizona with Tysell Bozeman leading the way with 16 points and five rebounds. Veranda James was the leading rebounder for the Wildcats with 11. She also tallied 11 points in the game. Arizona shot 42 percent from the field and 62 percent from the free-throw line.

BYU opens its season at home next Saturday, with a 3 p.m. tip off against UCLA.

-BYU-