BYU Advances In MWC Tourney With Huge Victory Over SDSU

BYU clinched its 21st victory of the year with a decisive 41-point 78-37 victory over SDSU in the first round of play at this year's McLeodUSA MWC Women's Basketball Tournament, Wednesday.

The second seeded Cougars had an easy time defeating the seventh seeded Aztecs leading by 23 at halftime and by as much as 47 points late in the game.

"We had a great team effort, we had fun playing, and our defense was the key to today's victory,"said head coach Trent Shippen. "I was also pleased with our bench play because we kept working hard offensively and defensively."

Freshman Erin Thorn led the way for BYU with 13 points followed by 11 points a piece from Stacy Jensen, Jennifer Lietner and Lisa Osguthorpe. Osguthorpe's 11 points included three from behind the arc.

The Cougars substituted at will in the second half with every team member getting some playing time giving the starting five some rest. BYU shot 54 percent from the field, 50 percent from the three-point range and 70 percent at the line.

BYU's defense held SDSU to 33 percent shooting from the field and 58 percent at the line. This was the third consecutive win for the Cougars over the Aztecs this season.

With the win, BYU advances to the semifinal round on Friday and will play Colorado State, the only conference team the Cougars have not beaten this year. The Rams also had an easy game in Wednesday's quarterfinal action, defeating Wyoming 79-57. BYU is on a five-game winning streak going into Friday's game. Tip off is set for 12 p.m., PST at the Thomas and Mack Center. The game can be seen live on KSL TV, Channel 5 in Utah.