BYU Cougars (11-7, 1-4 Big 12 Conference)
CLOSING IN ON HISTORY: Through 18 games, Gustin leads the nation in total rebounds (279), rebounding average (15.5), defensive rebounds per game (10.6) and double-doubles (16) and is 5th in offensive rebounds per contest (4.9). The senior sits at 1,469 career rebounds and is 14 rebounds away from breaking the all-time BYU rebounding record held by Gunn (1,482). She also leads the Cougars in scoring at 15.8 points per contest on 53.2 percent shooting from the field.
BEHIND THE 1ST QUARTER 8-BALL: The Cougars are 2-6 when trailing after the opening quarter this season. In its first five Big 12 games, BYU has trailed after the first 10 minutes in four of five contests. In 200 total minutes of Big 12 play, the Cougars have led for just 48:52 (.244) of game time. BYU never led at TCU or at home against Oklahoma. The Cougars led for 16:01 in the loss to Iowa State, and just 1:01 in the road loss to Houston before leading for 31:50 in the win over Cincinnati on Saturday.
SHARING THE ROCK: The Cougars have assisted on 296 of 458 (.646) made field goals this season and have had at least three or more players score in double figures in 15 of the first 18 contests.
TURNOVER TROUBLE: Coach Whiting has made it clear that ball security is key to the Cougars’ success, however, her squad averages 17.6 turnovers per game so far this season. BYU has turned the ball over more than its opponent in all but one game this season and holds a 22-22 record when posting a negative turnover margin under Whiting. Against Houston last Wednesday, BYU coughed it up 25 times leading to 17 points off turnovers in a 10-point loss to the Houston Cougars.
Head Coach – Amber Whiting
- Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
- Division I Career Record: 27-24 (2nd Season)
- Record at BYU: 27-24 (2nd Season)
Oklahoma State (10-6, 3-2 Big 12 Conference)
AS BALANCED AS THEY COME: Four of the Cowgirls’ five starters average in double figures with another double-digit scorer coming off the bench. Oklahoma State is led by Stailee Heard who averages 33.3 minutes per game and is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Pokes with 14.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest. The other four are LSU transfer Hannah Gusters at 14.1 points and 4.1 rebounds, Snna Gret Asi at 13.9 points, 3.1 boards and 33.1 minutes, Quincy Noble with 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds and Lior Garzon with 10.6 points, 4.2 boards. Four of the five Cowgirls to average double figures do so on over 40 percent shooting from the floor.
"I GOT BALL": The Cowgirls almost exclusively matchup in a man-to-man defense, with 92 percent of their defensive plays coming in this fashion. Oklahoma State will deploy a zone defense only eight percent of the time in an effort to shrink the floor and force the opponent to make shots from the outside.
PUSHING THE PACE: The Pokes make a living by pushing the ball and catching the opposition's defense sleeping. In their 70-64 loss to Kansas, the Jayhawks held Oklahoma State to seven points off turnovers and nine fast break points, a strategy BYU looks to employ on Wednesday night.
DON’T COUNT OUT THE BENCH: Oklahoma State’s starters aren't the only players you have to account for when attempting to take down the Pokes. The Cowgirls have 10 players on their roster who average at least 4.0 points per contest with 8-of-10 shooting over 40 percent from the field on the year.
Head Coach – Jacie Hoyt
- Alma Mater: Witchita State, 2009
- Division I Career Record: 112-83 (7th Season)
- Record at Oklahoma State: 31-18 (2nd Season)
