Gibb, Hamlin lead charge as Cougars take down Bulldogs 63-43

PROVO, Utah — A career-high eight assists for Delaney Gibb and 14 points from Olivia Hamlin lifted the Cougars over Fresno State at the Marriott Center on Saturday afternoon, 63-43.

The Cougars’ 4-0 start marks the eighth time in program history that BYU has won four in a row to begin a season. 

“Hard-fought game. We knew that it was going to be a battle,” said head coach Lee Cummard. “We faced a little adversity and some foul trouble with some of our regulars, and had to have people step up and carry the load while they were out. Overall, I'm pleased with the toughness of the group today and just the camaraderie amongst our team.”

From the second quarter onward, BYU’s defense imposed its will by holding the Bulldogs to 26 percent from the field and forcing 21 turnovers. The backcourt tandem of Gibb and Hamlin compiled a combined six steals in the defensive effort. 

The Cougars blew the game open in the third quarter, besting the Bulldogs 21-9 to take a 53-37 lead going into the fourth. BYU has outscored its four opponents 100-43 in the third quarter this season, an average margin of 14.3 points.

1st Quarter

Fresh off the bench, Olivia Hamlin hits a right-corner three to get the scoring started for the Cougars after a pair of Bulldog baskets. BYU would then build a 7-2 run thanks to back-to-back Rohkohl buckets underneath to help take the lead 7-6 with 5:41 remaining. 

After Fresno State retook the lead, the Bulldogs pushed the advantage to five. Hamlin responded by hitting a right-corner triple, her second of the quarter, as time expired. Hamlin's three cut the lead to two at 17-15, marking the first time BYU has trailed after the first this season.

2nd Quarter

The Bulldogs scored six-straight points to open the second after a Gibb and-one layup. Fresno State, with 7:31 to go in the half, extended its lead to 8, 25-17. 

The Cougar defense increased their intensity as the Bulldogs only scored one field goal the rest of the quarter. This led to a 15-3 run to close out the half for BYU, highlighted by Gibb and Hamlin trading buckets before a second buzzer-beating three was knocked down by Marya Hudgins. Gibb had her fourth assist on the day on the Hudgins triple to bring the halftime score to 32-28.

BYU held Fresno State to 28 percent shooting from the field in the second, amidst its comeback. 

3rd Quarter

Sydney Bennally overcame her first-half foul trouble with a reverse layup in the lane and a left-wing three. Gibb kept the scoring going with her sixth assist of the game off a Brinley Cannon. This put BYU up 10 going into a media timeout midway through the third.

After a couple of back-and-forth field goals, Hudgins had a put-back after a Bulldog turnover with 2:56 remaining. Four Cougar free throws brought the score to 53-37 in favor of BYU to cap off the third. 

The Cougar defense maintained its aggression by forcing seven turnovers, bringing Fresno State’s turnover count to 16 for the game. 

4th Quarter

Bennally was a spark plug, dishing two full-court assists in transition to Hudgins and Gibb to make it 59-40 midway through the fourth.

Three-and-a-half minutes went by without either team scoring a point. This drought was ended by Gibb’s eighth assist of the game to Gunlock for a corner three. BYU went on to seal the 63-43 victory over the Bulldogs.

Up Next

The Cougars hit the road for their first trip of the season as they take on the Montana Grizzlies in Missoula on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with tip scheduled for 7 p.m. MT. Fans can also tune in to Jason Shepherd on BYU Radio 107.9 FM, byuradio.org and the BYU Radio App.