Cougars Take It to the Pilots

PROVO, Utah— The BYU women’s basketball team used a dominating effort to beat the Portland Pilots 76-55 at the Marriott Center on Saturday.

“I’m really proud of these guys,” Coach Judkins said. “We have a long ways to go, but we’re getting better in some areas and we’ll keep working.”

Jennifer Hamson led the way for the Cougars (18-3, 7-1) with her second double-double of the season, with 14 points and 10 boards while adding four blocks in only 19 minutes of work. Hamson’s 14 points were also a season high.

“Jen, what do you say. She played one of her best games for us,” Judkins said. “In the zone she was very effective in sealing and getting the ball.”

Freshman Lexi Eaton and sophomore Kim Parker added 16 and 13 points, respectively. Senior Haley Steed continued to distribute the ball well, dishing out 10 assists, her second consecutive game with double-digit assists.

After a slow start to the game, Judkins went to Hamson to spark some life into his team. She controlled the paint, grabbing several rebounds and putting in shot after shot. At one point, Hamson scored 10 consecutive points for BYU.

With Hamson’s spark the Cougars pulled out in front, but the Pilots battled right back. After Portland cut the lead to six, the Cougars went on a 3-point shooting spree. Eaton made back-to-back threes and Parker hit another, giving BYU an early 15-point lead.

The highlight of the half, however, was guard Stephanie Rovetti who brought the crowd to its feet as she cut through several defenders, hung in the air and got a runner to drop with three minutes left in the half.

The second half was much the same as the Cougars dominated the Pilots in every aspect of the game. BYU got a huge lift from its bench, which outscored Portland 34-14 for the game.

The women’s basketball team will play its next three games on the road, starting at Seattle University Wednesday at 7 p.m. PST.

Postgame Notes
Team
BYU led Portland in points in the paint with 32-18 and points off turnovers with 13-4. BYU forced 18 turnovers and only collected 10.

The Cougar bench made 34 points and held the Pilot bench to only 14 points.

The largest lead of the game came with 7:23 left in the second half, when BYU led by 25 points.

The Cougars had 24 assists to Portland’s 10.

BYU now leads the series with Portland 10-4.

BYU is a perfect 16-0 when leading at the half. The Cougars are also 14-2 when making more than five 3-pointers and 13-1 when outrebounding opponents. BYU had nine 3-point baskets and had 42 rebounds to the Pilots’ 37.

The Cougars are 8-1 when playing at the Marriott Center.

The Cougars recorded a season-high 12 steals against Portland.

This is BYU’s second straight sweep in conference play. BYU swept the series with Loyola Marymount and Portland.

Players
Jennifer Hamson scored 10 straight points for the Cougars during the first half, totaling a season-high 14 points on the game. The game against Portland was her sixth time scoring in double figures this season and 16th in her career. Hamson also had 10 rebounds for her third career double-double and second of the season.

Lexi Eaton scored 16 points, tying her career high, for her seventh-straight double-figure outing in conference play and 15th this season. Eaton also had five assists, a career high, three rebounds and two steals.

Kim Parker recorded her 13th double-figure outing of the season and 18th of her career with 13 points against Portland, including three 3-pointers.

Haley Steed had 10 assists with six rebounds and three points.