LAIE -- The Cougars defeated Wright State 56-50 in the first game of the Hukilau Invitational Friday, behind a steady offensive effort from the team.
“I’m proud of how the girls handled their pressure,” said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins. “ We’re getting better and better with each game.”
BYU started slow and trailed through most of the first half. Mindy Nielson and Shawnee Slade kept the Cougars close and they tied the game 24-24. The team’s first lead of the game came with 1:45 left in the first half when Nielson hit a three-pointer to put the Cougars out in front.
The teams went into the break tied at 29 a piece.
Three-point shooting helped pace BYU through the second half. The team is now 3-2 when it makes at least five three-pointers.
Nielson led all scorers with 19 points for her third double-digit point effort this season. Slade chipped in fifteen. It is the 24th time in her career she has scored in double figures. The Cougars out-rebounded Wright State 31-30.
“I thought we executed better in the second half,” said Judkins. “Mindy and Kristen had good games for us.”
BYU able to overcome the first-half deficit and fend off the Raiders through the second half despite committing a season-high 23 turnovers.
The Cougars’ record improves to 4-2, while Wright State falls to 2-3.
BYU’s Hawaiian trip continues Saturday, Dec. 6, when they face off against Pac-10 power USC (4-1) at 4:00 p.m. BYU Radio’s live audio feed of the game can be accessed by visiting the schedule page at www.byucougars.com/basketball_w/.
Following the end of the tournament, the Cougars return home to host two games against in-state foes Weber State and Utah State. The game against the Wildcats will tip off at 7:00 p.m., and the Utah State game will start at 3:00 p.m. Live stat and audio feeds will be available online, and both games will broadcast on BYUTV.
Official Basketball Box Score
WSU vs Brigham Young
12/5/08 1:00PM at Laie, HI
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VISITORS: WSU 2-4
TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS
## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
03 THOMAS, LaShawna.... * 5-9 1-3 4-6 5 3 8 1 15 2 5 0 4 38
05 DAVIS, Ta-myra...... * 3-4 0-0 5-6 1 1 2 3 11 0 4 0 1 28
11 PEDDY, Shey......... * 3-10 0-3 1-2 1 0 1 2 7 2 3 0 1 27
23 DIXON, Charne....... * 0-3 0-0 1-2 1 1 2 2 1 2 5 0 2 26
25 RICHARDSON, Erica... * 0-2 0-0 0-0 2 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 10
10 WARD, Kanisha....... 2-7 2-5 0-0 2 2 4 4 6 3 4 0 3 27
32 SCOTT, Tanni........ 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
33 BENNETT, Maria...... 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3
55 HALL, Tatianna...... 4-14 0-1 2-3 4 4 8 3 10 1 4 0 1 34
TEAM................ 1 1
Totals.............. 17-50 3-13 13-19 17 13 30 16 50 11 26 0 12 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 10-26 38.5% 2nd Half: 7-24 29.2% Game: 34.0% DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 1-6 16.7% 2nd Half: 2-7 28.6% Game: 23.1% REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 8-10 80.0% 2nd Half: 5-9 55.6% Game: 68.4% 2
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HOME TEAM: Brigham Young 4-2
TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS
## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
03 FOREMAN, Jazmine.... * 1-3 0-2 0-1 0 4 4 3 2 8 8 0 2 37
22 NIELSON, Mindy...... * 8-12 2-5 1-1 1 3 4 2 19 1 2 0 3 37
32 SLADE, Shawnee...... * 6-10 3-5 0-0 2 4 6 3 15 3 8 0 1 34
45 MOEAKI, Keilani..... * 1-4 0-0 1-2 2 3 5 4 3 1 5 1 1 20
54 KING, Cassie........ * 1-2 0-0 2-2 1 1 2 3 4 0 2 0 0 16
01 JACKSON, Jenteal.... 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
14 HOSTETTER, Sarah R.. 0-2 0-1 1-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 9
23 WOOD, Coriann....... 1-3 0-2 3-4 1 4 5 3 5 0 3 0 1 19
35 RILEY, Kristen...... 2-4 0-0 3-4 1 1 2 3 7 2 2 1 2 25
TEAM................ 1 1 2
Totals.............. 20-40 5-15 11-16 10 21 31 21 56 15 32 2 10 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 10-20 50.0% 2nd Half: 10-20 50.0% Game: 50.0% DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 3-9 33.3% 2nd Half: 2-6 33.3% Game: 33.3% REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 6-7 85.7% 2nd Half: 5-9 55.6% Game: 68.8% 2
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Officials: Pat Sueoka, Bart Baldwin, Tony Collazo
Technical fouls: WSU-None. Brigham Young-None.
Attendance: 89
Score by Periods 1st 2nd Total
WSU........................... 29 21 - 50
Brigham Young................. 29 27 - 56