Gibb's 22 points lifts BYU to 2-0 after a comeback win over the Cowgirls

Box Score

PROVO, Utah – The Cougars, led by Delaney Gibb’s 22 points, remain unbeaten after a 76-63 comeback win over the Wyoming Cowgirls on Saturday afternoon.

“I’m super proud of my team,” head coach Amber Whiting said. “They showed a lot of grit and toughness today. They played for each other. The third quarter shows you that.”

Despite a quick Cougar lead to start the first quarter, Wyoming's three-point shooting carried the Cowgirls to a 40-27 halftime advantage. BYU aggressively flipped the script in the third by starting the quarter with a 12-1 run with buckets from Marya Hudgins, Emma Calvert, Amari Whiting and Gibb. 

Kemery Congdon, Gibb, Calvert and Hudgins each contributed double-figure scoring performances with Gibb leading the Cougars in scoring, rebounds and assists to help clutch the win. 

First Quarter

After the Cowgirls brought some early defensive pressure, the Cougars took an early lead to start off the first quarter at 12-6 with the help of Gibb’s three-pointer and a Whiting layup. 

With four-straight threes and a tough defense from Wyoming, the Cowgirls took an 18-16 lead at the close of the first quarter. 

Second Quarter

Wyoming went on a 5-0 run to extend their lead to 23-16, but following a Calvert made shot from inside the paint and Congdon’s fastbreak layup, the Cougars tightened the score to 25-20.

The last five minutes of the half were slow for the Cougars with the only points scored coming on a Congdon jumper with the assist from Whiting. The half concluded with BYU trailing 40-27.

Third Quarter

Calvert sank an immediate three-pointer to start the second half, fueled by Gibb’s assist. The senior paved the way for the BYU comeback by making a second three and assisting on Hudgins' triple to pull the Cougars within five at 41-36 with 8:40 to go in the quarter.

From the 9:42 to 2:27 mark of the third, BYU held the prolific Wyoming offense without a made field goal and went on a 24-3 run over 7:15.  

At the close of the third, BYU led 58-46 over the Cowgirls after trailing by 13 to start the period. The 31-point quarter exceeds the highest-scoring quarter of any game last season for the Cougars; 27 points.

Fourth Quarter

The Cowgirls went on an initial 5-0 run to begin the fourth quarter. BYU responded with an 8-2 run, powered by Calvert’s scoop layup, two-straight threes and a driving layup by Gibb in just over two minutes of play. 

A Hudgins three-pointer widened BYU’s lead to 71-55. With a 72-62 lead with 1:09 to go, four made free throws by Gibb sealed a 76-63 win to avenge the loss from a season ago and move to 2-0 on the year.

Up Next

The Cougars return to the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Nov. 13 for their next matchup against the Colorado State Rams. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with tip scheduled for 11 a.m. MST. Fans can also tune into the game on BYU Radio for BYU Basketball with Jason Shepherd.