PROVO, Utah – Cassie Broadhead Devashrayee led BYU women’s basketball to a 62-52 win over LMU Thursday night at the Marriott Center.
"I thought we played a great third quarter," BYU head coach Jeff Judkins said. "When the fourth quarter came, we started standing around and we let them back in the game. LMU is a really physical team. Coach Elliott does a great job of getting her bigs rebounding and being physical."
Devashrayee recorded a game-high 25 points, making 11 of 12 free throws and tallying five assists. Brenna Chase also added 13 points for the Cougars (13-9, 8-3) paired with four steals. Sara Hamson recorded 12 total rebounds and four blocks for BYU.
The Cougars struggled to start the game, going three minutes before making their first shot. After LMU (14-8, 6-5) went on an 8-0 run, Hamson put BYU on the board with a lay-up making the score 8-2. A steal from Paisley Johnson ended the first quarter with BYU behind 16-10.
A Chase 3-pointer gave the Cougars momentum going into the second quarter, narrowing LMU’s lead to three points. After the Lions converted a layup, a Johnson 3-pointer and a layup from Devashrayee tied the game at 18-all.
LMU hit back-to-back baskets taking the lead again, 23-18. However, the Cougars countered, going on a 10-0 run making the score 28-23, giving BYU its first lead of the game. The Lions again came from behind and went on a 5-0 run tying the game, 28-28.
The Cougars were down by one with 1:15 left in the half when Johnson sank a free-throw to tie the game 20-all. With six seconds left in the second quarter, Devashrayee made a jumper to give the Cougars a two-point advantage going into halftime, 32-30.
Devashrayee opened the third quarter with a 3 making the score, 35-30. Back-to-back baskets from Johnson and Devashrayee put the Cougars up by double digits 45-34, solidifying their lead through the rest of the quarter. Hamson tipped the ball into the basket giving the Cougars a 12-point, 51-39 lead to close out the third quarter.
The Cougars struggled to put points on the board at the beginning of the fourth quarter going six minutes without scoring. The Lions began to chip away at the Cougars lead going on a 7-0 run making the score 51-46. However, Devashrayee took control of the fourth quarter scoring eight of the Cougars' 10 points and ultimately leading BYU to its win over LMU.
The Cougars return to the Marriott Center on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 2:00 p.m. MST to take on Gonzaga. The game will be broadcast live on BYUtv and BYU Radio Sirius XM 143 with live stats available on the schedule page.
BYU vs. LMU Postgame Notes
Team
The Cougars led the Lions 32-30 at the half, and recorded their eighth West Coast Conference victory in the win over the Lions, 62-52. BYU remains undefeated at home in conference play.
The Cougars are now 11-0 when leading at halftime, and 6-1 when playing on Thursday.
For the eighth time this season and second-straight game, two Cougars scored in double figures: Devashrayee (25) and Chase (13).
BYU finished the contest with 19 points off of turnovers, while LMU had 11. The Lions outrebounded the Cougars 49 to 38.
The Cougars recorded nine steals as a team to the Lions’ seven. BYU has tallied more steals than its opponent in eight games this season.
BYU is now 7-0 at home against LMU, and leads the all-time series 15-2.
Player
Cassie Broadhead Devashrayee finished the contest with a game-high 25 points. The reigning WCC Player of the Year went 11 of 12 from the foul line. Devashrayee also dished out a game-high five assists and had six rebounds and two steals in the win.
Brenna Chase led the Cougars with 10 first-half points. The sophomore finished with 13 points in the victory and had a game-high four steals. She also had two assists and two rebounds.
Sara Hamson recorded a game-high 12 rebounds. The freshman had six points on 3 of 5 shooting, and also had four blocks.
Paisley Johnson had nine points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.