Cougars take on Missouri State on Wednesday in Lady Bear Classic

PROVO, Utah — BYU and Missouri State will face off for only the second time in series history when the Cougars and Lady Bears meet on Wednesday, Dec. 20 in Springfield. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT with the game streamed on ESPN+. Fans can also tune in for live play-by-play with Jason Shepherd on BYU Radio 107.9 FM or BYU Radio.org/BYU Radio app.

Matchup Breakdown

BYU and Missouri State’s first and only meeting came on Dec. 21, 1998 when the Lady Bears took down the Cougars 80-52 at the Great Southern Bank Arena. 

BYU Cougars (9-2, 0-0 Big 12)

• BACK TO WINNING WAYS: With the win over Idaho State last week, the Cougars moved to 9-2 on the season, marking just the third time in the last decade that a BYU team has started the season at 9-2 or better. The 9-2 record through 11 games matches the 2020-21 team for the second-best start through 11 games in the last 10 seasons.
• REBOUNDING QUEEN: Through eleven games, Gustin leads the nation in total rebounds (176), rebounding average (16.0), defensive rebounds per game (11.1) and double-doubles (9). The senior is 116 rebounds away from breaking the all-time BYU rebounding record held by Tina Gunn.
• SHARING THE ROCK: The Cougars have assisted on 181 of 284 (.637) made field goals this season and have had at least three or more players score in double figures in eight of the first ten contests. In the win over Idaho State, the Cougars assisted on 21 of 25 (.840) made baskets.

• THREE-POINT MARKSMAN: Kailey Woolston has burst on the scene in her first 11 games, being named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week twice (Nov. 20 & 27). Woolston is 2nd in the conference, 4th nationally in 3-point percentage at 54.2 percent, 2nd in the Big 12, 15th nationally in 3-point field goals made (32) and 2nd in the conference, 29th nationally in three-pointers per game (2.91) The freshman is also 8th in the Big 12 in field goal percentage.

• FLOOR GENERAL: Whiting is averaging 11.5 points per game on 40.4 percent shooting, going 32.0 percent from downtown while grabbing 5.1 rebounds and dishing 3.7 assists. The highly-tabbed recruit set four career highs against Idaho State as she notched her first-career double-double with 14 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, four steals and a game-sealing block in overtime.

Head Coach – Amber Whiting

• Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
• Division I Career Record: 25-19 (2^nd Season)
• Record at BYU:  25-19 (2^nd Season)

Missouri State Lady Bears (4-3, 0-0 Missouri Valley Conference)

• Lady Bears are on a roll: MSU is currently on a five-game home win streak with their last home loss coming last season on Feb. 19, 2023, against Belmont. Missouri State is 14-4 at home in the Beth Cunningham era, and the Lady Bears have won 11 of the last 12 games at Great Southern Bank Arena.

   

• Dynamic Duo: Indya Green and Lacy Stokes are the leading scorers for the Lady Bears through seven games with 11.9 and 11.6 points per game apiece. Together they combine for 23.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

   

• Lacy Stokes: Stokes was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season on Monday after scoring 21 points, going 7-of-12 from the free throw line in the Lady Bears’ win over the Wichita State Shockers last week.

   

• Indya Green: Green leads MSU in points (11.9) and rebounds (7.7) while also contributing

  10 steals and assists. The junior from Springfield is shooting 48.5 percent on the year and has led the Lady Bears in rebounding four times, ranking 7th in the MVC in rebounds/game.

   

• Crashing the glass: Missouri State is 4-0 this season when winning the battle on the boards and when recording more assists than its opponents. The Lady Bears average 36.4 rebounds per contest this season in comparison to 42.4 by the Cougars. MSU has won the rebounding battle 133 times in the last 163 contests, going 113-20 when winning on the glass.

   

• The Magic Number: In the Beth Cunningham era, the Lady Bears are 17-1 when scoring 70+ points, including a 3-0 record this season when hitting the 70-point mark. MSU is also 4-0 this season when holding opponents below 70 points.

Head Coach – Beth Cunningham

• Alma Mater: Notre Dame, 1997
• Division I Career Record: 191-130 (11th Season)
• Record at Missouri State: 24-15 (2nd Season)