First Quarter
BYU opened strong with a second-chance three from Gibb, followed by a fast-break layup from Cannon and another Gibb triple to go up 10-2 just two minutes into the game. San José State responded with back-to-back threes to trim the lead to two, but the Cougars maintained control behind active defense and transition play.
Cannon found Marya Hudgins for a three-point play, and Benally added a three off a feed from Hamlin to extend the margin to 18-8. The Spartans cut it to one late in the quarter behind free throws and a pair of quick buckets, but Gibb’s late trip to the line helped BYU keep the lead heading into the second.
Second Quarter
A second-chance layup from the Spartans tied the game at 22 early in the second quarter, but BYU quickly took control. After exchanging blocks on both ends, Hudgins came up with a steal and finished in transition to regain the lead.
Gibb found Rohkohl twice in the post for back-to-back buckets, extending the advantage to six. Moments later, Hamlin was fouled on a three-point attempt and sank all three free throws to cap a 9-0 run.
Hamlin scored again in transition off a feed from Gibb, pushing BYU’s run to 11-0. The Cougars then capitalized on another Spartan turnover with a layup from Benally to make it 13 straight points and a 35-22 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the half, forcing a San José State timeout. The Spartans ended an eight-minute scoring drought with a three, but BYU’s defense held strong to maintain a double-digit lead going into halftime.
The Cougars dominated transition play in the first half, outscoring the Spartans 14-0 in fast-break points.
Third Quarter
San José State opened the third quarter with a transition layup before BYU responded as Gibb hit two free throws after being fouled on a floater. The Spartans converted an and-one to regain momentum, but Gibb answered with her third triple of the game from the top of the key.
Gibb then found Hamlin for a three-pointer, though San José State matched it with one of its own. Bolanle Yussuf added her first points of the afternoon with a layup in the paint, before Hamlin found Gibb on the wing for another triple.
After a quick four points from the Spartans, Yussuf assisted Arielle Mackey-Williams on a jumper before Mackey-Williams set up Cannon for a three to extend the Cougar lead to 53-36 with two minutes remaining in the period. Hamlin later finished an and-one through contact followed by a 2-for-2 trip at the charity stripe to extend the run to 10-0. Benally ended the quarter with a block on a Spartan three-pointer as BYU entered the final quarter in control, 58-36.
Fourth Quarter
San José State ended BYU’s run with an and-one layup but missed the free throw. Cannon answered by driving through traffic and finishing off the glass for another Cougar basket. The Spartans then went on a 7-0 run of their own, fueled by a jumper, floater and layup, cutting the Cougar lead to 60-45 with just over five minutes remaining.
Gibb stopped the Spartan momentum with a pull-up jumper, but San José State responded with two made free throws, an and-one conversion and a layup to make it 62-51. Rohkohl scored on a layup from Benally's assist before Hamlin knocked down a corner three off a pass from Gibb to push the lead to 67-51 with a minute remaining. Gibb followed with her fifth triple of the game, assisted by Cannon, to close out the win.
Up Next
The Cougars will host Omaha on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. MST at the Marriott Center. Watch the broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can also tune in to Jason Shepherd on BYU Radio 107.9 FM, byuradio.org and the BYU Radio App.
