LOS ANGELES — Cassie Broadhead Devashrayee and Brenna Chase led BYU women’s basketball to a 67-55 win over LMU at Gersten Pavilion on Thursday afternoon.
“This was a big win because LMU is a really good team,” BYU head coach Jeff Judkins said. “We have tough games on the road, and I am glad we were able to take care of this one. I was really impressed with Brenna and Cassie today. Brenna is a tough kid. She shot the ball well and made some great passes and plays today. The game is coming more easy to her.”
Devashrayee and Chase combined for 51 of the Cougars’ 67 points, with Devashrayee tallying 29 and Chase recording 22. Sara Hamson led BYU in rebounding with a career-best rebounds.
The Cougars (11-7, 6-1 WCC) captured the early 5-0 read, as Devashrayee nailed a 3-pointer and Chase went 2 of 2 from the charity stripe. LMU (11-7, 3-4 WCC) countered with a 5-0 run of their own to tie the game at 5-all midway through the first quarter.
After a basket by Devashrayee, the Lions hit back-to-back treys, taking the 13-9 lead. LMU converted two three-point plays to close out the first quarter, leading BYU 18-9. Devashrayee scored seven of the Cougars’ nine first quarter points.
BYU cut LMU’s lead to five, 20-15, as Chase knocked down her first 3-point field goal of the contest with 8:37 on the clock. Out of the media timeout, Albiero made a 15-footer to make it a one possession game with LMU leading 24-22.
Devashrayee converted her second three-point field goal with 2:02 to go in the first half, giving BYU the slight 27-26 advantage and the Cougars their first lead of the game since they lead 7-5. BYU carried the one-point, 31-30 lead into the halftime break.
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm to begin the second half with teams scoring just two baskets apiece through the first five minutes of the third quarter. After a three-minute scoring drought from both teams, Chase hit another 3-pointer, her second of the game, at the 1:38 mark to give BYU the narrow 38-37 lead.
Chase countered with another trey after LMU opened the fourth quarter with a layup. The Cougars then went on a 11-3 run, claiming the 53-44 lead with 5:41 to go. BYU extended its lead to 12, beating LMU 67-55.
The Cougars travel to San Diego to take on the Toreros on Saturday, Jan. 20. Teams will tip off at 2:00 p.m. PST. The game can be streamed live at TheW.tv and can be listened to on BYU Radio - Sirius XM 143.
Postgame Notes at LMU (1/18/18)
Team
BYU took a one-point, 31-30 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Cougars went on to win the game 67-55. With the win BYU is now 11-7, 6-1 on the year. When leading at the half, BYU is a perfect 9-0.
The Cougars shot 40 percent from the field in the first half of play and finished the game shooting 37 percent from the field.
In rebounds in the half, BYU pulled down 23 compared with 16 boards for LMU. For the game, the Cougars grabbed 45 boards to 43 for the Lions.
The Lions had the advantage in assists through the first half of action with 10, the Cougars had dished out six. LMU led the way in assists for the game with 16. BYU dished out 12 in the contest.
Player
Cassie Broadhead Devashrayee led all scorers with a first-half high, 17 points. The double-digit points are the 18th straight on the year. She finished the league contest with a game-best 29 points. Devashrayee went 12 of 15 from the free-throw line and 3 of 6 from 3-point range. She also led the team in assists with four and in steals with four.
Starting in her fifth game of the season, Sara Hamson led the way in rebounds and in blocks in the first half with 8 and 5 respectively. She finished the game with a season- and game-best 15 rebounds. Hamson topped the leader board in blocks with a game-high 6.
With 22 points, sophomore guard Brenna Chase picked up her 14th game with double-digit points and the second-straight 20-plus points. She dished out three assists and have two steals. She went 4 of 10 from 3-point range and was 4 of 5 from the free-throw line.