Hamlin's career high 22 lifts Cougars over Idaho State, 68-59

PROVO, Utah – Freshman Olivia Hamlin posted a career-high 22 points in BYU women's basketball's 68-59 win over the Idaho State Bengals on Thursday night at the Marriott Center.

“We started a little too amped, and it made our legs heavy early," head coach Lee Cummard said. "Once we settled in, especially after halftime, we looked much more like ourselves, moving the ball, defending, and creating havoc again. Credit to them; they’re a tough, well-coached team even without their starting point guard. I was proud of how we responded and got back to our identity in the second half.”

Hamlin connected on a career-high nine field goals, going 9-for-19 from the field and went 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. The freshman also tallied five steals, three assists and a rebound in 35 minutes of play.

BYU posts Bolanle Yussuf and Lara Rohkohl were the other two Cougars to finish in double figures, with 10 points apiece. Yussuf also led the Cougars with seven rebounds, alongside sophomore Kambree Barber, who grabbed seven of her own. Barber, in her second game since returning from injury, scored five points, recorded four blocks and a steal. 

An intense defensive effort highlighted BYU’s victory as it forced 25 turnovers, leading to 25 total points off those turnovers, 17 of which came in the first half. Tonight was the seventh game this season that the Cougars forced 20 or more opponent giveaways, and they hold a 7-0 record in such games. That pressure resulted in a shooting percentage under 30 percent for Idaho State. BYU allowed no points from Idaho State in the final 4:12 of the second half.

First Quarter
The Cougars opened play with a 5-0 run that was kick-started by a corner three from Brinley Cannon. BYU’s heavy pressure on defense and fluid offense led to Hamlin finishing a three-point play at the line, putting the Cougars up 12-2 and forcing an Idaho State timeout.

BYU put up six more points to close out the quarter, moving the score to 18-8. The Cougars scored 15 of those points off nine forced turnovers in the quarter, with 10 being fast-break points. The 10-point advantage marked the ninth time this season that the Cougs led after the opening frame, compiling an 8-1 record in such games.

Second Quarter
BYU’s aggressive defense continued into the second quarter, with Sydney Benally scrambling to force a jump ball with the possession arrow favoring the Cougars. After an empty possession, Idaho State stormed back with an 8-0 run.

Braeden Gunlock hit a three to end the Cougars’ scoring drought, but was answered back immediately with an Idaho State three, trimming BYU’s lead to 21-19. Idaho State took its first lead with 1:41 left in the quarter and finished on top 31-27 off a 10-0 run to close out the half.

The Cougars ended the break behind for just the third time this season, holding a 1-1 record in such games. In the first 20 minutes, BYU shot 9-for-31 from the field and 3-of-13 from behind the arc. The Cougars grabbed 15 boards to Idaho State's 30 and were outscored in transition 13-7. 

Third Quarter
BYU and ISU opened the half with back-and-forth play, with Idaho State extending its lead to 40-33. Rohkohl and Yussuf each hit two from the stripe. A Bengals turnover off the inbounds then led to a three-pointer from Cannon, knotting the game at 40.

In the final minutes of the quarter, the Cougars took their first lead of the half thanks to a behind-the-back crossover and kick from Hamlin to Barber, who hit a timely left-corner three. Hamlin scored a fast-break layup seconds later off a Bengals turnover.

BYU ended the third on top, 51-48, heading into the final quarter of play.

Fourth Quarter
The two teams kept the score neck and neck to open the fourth, with the Cougars pulling away midway through the quarter. Benally inbounded the ball to Marya Hudgins, who kicked it back to Benally for a corner triple to extend the Cougars’ lead to eight at 64-56.

After a scoring drought from both teams, Barber stuffed ISU's Aspen Caldwell with 55 seconds left for her third block of the night. Barber found Cannon with the outlet, who kicked to Rohkohl in transition for a lay-in off the glass to stretch BYU’s lead to 67-59 with 47 seconds left in the game.

Hamlin earned two shots from the line with just over 10 seconds remaining, hitting one of two. A fourth block from Barber capped a 68-59 victory for the Cougars over the Bengals.

Up next
BYU welcomes UTEP to the Marriott Center on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. MST. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast live on BYU Radio with Jason Shepherd on the call.