BYU Cougars || 10-1, 0-0 || Big 12 Conference
WHAT'S AT STAKE? || With a win, the Cougars would finish the non-conference slate with a single loss for the fourth time in program history and notch the highest non-conference winning percentage in the history of BYU women’s hoops. A win would also mark BYU’s best record through 12 games in program history. BYU started 11-1 in 2005-06, 2013-14 and 2021-22, with all three teams reaching the NCAA Tournament, and the 2013-14 squad advancing to the Sweet 16.
DEFENSIVE MINDED COUGARS || The Cougars have held 10 of 11 opponents under the 70-point threshold and are 10-0 in such games. BYU has kept six of its foes under 60 points this season, and the Cougars are 21-2 over the past three seasons when surrendering less than 60 points. BYU’s only loss came at the hands of No. 17 Vanderbilt, which scored 84 points, 2.2 fewer than the Commodores’ season average.
BYU ranks 20th in the country, fourth in the Big 12, for opponent 3-point percentage, surrendering just 24.4 percent shooting and just 5.7 3-point makes per game. The Cougars also sit 20th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 in opponent field goal percentage, holding opponents to 34 percent from the field. Cummard’s squad has six players who average over a steal per game: Cannon (2.4), Benally (2.1), Gibb (2.0), Hamlin (1.9), Rohkohl (1.4) and Hudgins (1.3).
BARBER'S BACK IN ACTION || Kambree Barber made her season debut against the Portland Pilots last Saturday and has been a steady force for the Cougars on the boards and the defensive end of the floor since her return. The sophomore recorded a career-high four blocks in the win over Idaho State on Saturday to go along with five points, a steal and a team-high seven rebounds.
THE COUGARS LOVE THE 3-BALL || BYU currently holds the second-longest active and the third-longest all-time streak of games with a made 3-point field goal in NCAA women’s basketball. The Cougars have connected on at least one triple in each of the previous 806 games. The streak began on March 2, 2000, against Air Force.
NAVAJO DIME DROPPER || Benally is one of the top guards in the country at setting up her teammates in positions to score as she assists on 33.1 percent of all made baskets when she is on the floor, which ranks in the 97th percentile nationally. She leads all Big 12 freshmen, ranks seventh in the conference and 20th in the country with 60 assists on the year. On the defensive end, Benally leads conference freshmen with 23 steals, good for sixth in the Big 12. Benally averages 1.2 made threes per contest, which ranks fifth among Big 12 freshmen.
COSMO'S SECRET STUFF || The Cougars have dominated the third quarter this season, outscoring opponents 22 to 14.6, an average margin of 7.4 points per quarter. On Thursday night, BYU trailed for just the third time this season at the half. The Cougars came out in the third and shot 43.8 percent from the field, forced seven Bengal turnovers, leading to eight points and outscored ISU 24-17. They followed that up in the fourth with a 17-11 quarter, holding Idaho State to 19-percent shooting in the final 10 minutes.
Head Coach – Lee Cummard
- Alma Mater: BYU, 2009
- Division I Career Record: 10-1 || 1st Season
