BYU Cougars || 13-15, 4-13 || Big 12 Conference
WHAT'S AT STAKE || With a win, BYU would record its first win over Utah in the Whiting era. The Cougars would also lock up the 12-seed in the Big 12 Championship in Kansas City next week.
COUGAR ASSIST CLUB || BYU has assisted on 431-of-708 (.609) field goals this year and has had three or more players finish in double-figures in 17 games. In Big 12 wins, the Cougars have assisted on 70.8 percent of made field goals in contrast to 59.9 percent in losses.
VALUING THE BASKETBALL || Ball security is crucial for BYU. In Big 12 play, the Cougars have committed 18.4 turnovers and opponents have scored 18.7 points off giveaways per game. In wins this season, BYU only coughs it up 14.8 times and surrenders 12.8 points off turnovers. In losses, BYU averages 18.4 giveaways and 19.3 points given up off of turnovers.
Utah and BYU each turned it over 16 times in the first meeting as Big 12 foes on Jan. 25. The Cougars scored 15 points off of Ute turnovers while Utah converted 16 takeaways into 19 points.
FINISHING POSSESSIONS || Crashing the defensive glass has been a point of emphasis for Whiting’s squad. BYU has given up 11.1 offensive boards and 11.9 second-chance points in Big 12 games. In their four conference wins over Houston, ASU, UCF and Oklahoma State, BYU only surrendered 10.0 O-boards and 9.3 second-chance points.
In the first meeting with the Utes, BYU surrendered 18 offensive rebounds, leading to 30 second-chance points in the five-point defeat. The Cougars grabbed 11 offensive boards but only converted them into six second-chance points, a 24-point deficit.
A FRESHMAN FOR THE AGES || Delaney Gibb earned her ninth Big 12 Freshman of the Week award on Monday, passing Baylor’s Darianna Littlepage-Buggs for second-most in conference history. The freshman has led BYU in scoring in 18 games this season while scoring 14 or more points in 23-of-28 games this year including nine games of 20 or more. Gibb averages at 16.8 points per game on 44.7 percent shooting and 38.9 percent from deep. The Canada native averages 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.5 3-pointers per game.
WHITING'S CONSISTENT CONTRIBUTIONS || Despite a slight down-tick in scoring this season, Amari Whiting has done what she does best — defend. The sophomore guard is the leading rebounder for the Cougars at 5.5 rebounds per game. Whiting also leads BYU in steals per game with 2.0 takeaways which is good for 7th in the conference. On the offensive side, she is second in assists with 3.9 dimes per game and is the third Cougar to average double-figures with 10.2 per game.
HOMECOMING OF SORTS || After playing the first 58 games of her collegiate career in a Utes uniform, Kemery Congdon (formerly Martín) will return to the Huntsman Center for the final regular-season game of her 151-game career. Congdon, who Coach Whiting dubbed the Cougars' "calm in the storm," brought a wealth of experience to BYU's team this season. The Sandy native has scored 9.0 points per game on 36.6 percent shooting, going 37.9 percent from three with 2.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Head Coach – Amber Whiting
- Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
- Division I Career Record: 45-49 || 3rd Season
- Record at BYU: 45-49 || 3rd Season
