Three MWC Games In Seven Days

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With an impressive 10-2 record, BYU’s women’s basketball team is set for league play with three games in seven days. The Cougars open MWC action hosting CSU (5-8) on Sat., Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. They then travel to Ft. Worth, to battle TCU (8-5) on Tues., Jan. 13, before returning to play UNM (10-2) at the Marriott Center on Sat., Jan. 17 at 3 p.m.

Game Information

When:1/10/09 Where: vs. CSU Tip: 3 p.m MT Arena: Marriott Ctr.

When:1/13/09 Where: @ TCU Tip:6:30 p.m CT Arena: D.M.Coliseum

When:1/17/09 Where: vs. UNM Tip: 3 p.m MT Arena: Marriott Ctr.

Broadcast Plans

TV: The home game vs. CSU on Jan. 10 airs live on BYUTV. Jarom Jordan and Kristen Koslowski will call the action.

TV: The road game at TCU on Jan. 13 airs live on the Mtn. Erin Bajackson and Andrea Lloyd will call that contest.

Internet: Audio streaming is available for the game via the internet at BYU Radio with Jay Monsen calling the action. A link is available by going to http://www.byucougars.com/basketball_w/

Stats: Live stats through GameTracker are available as well. A link is available by logging on to the BYU women’s basketball home page at http://www.byucougars.com/basketball_w/

BYU Probable Starters

No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

03 Jazmine Foreman G 5-5 So 7.1 3.3

22 Mindy Nielson G 5-10 So 11.3 3.3

32 Shawnee Slade F 5-11 Sr 11.8 4.3

45 Keilani Moeaki F 6-2 So 5.5 3.8

54 Cassie King C 6-3 Sr 7.4 5.5

Off the Bench

No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

23 Coriann Wood F 6-1 So 8.8 4.8

35 Kristen Riley C 6-3 Fr 3.8 3.6

14 Sarah Hostetter G/F 5-11 Sr 2.8 1.1

55 Megan Marks F 6-3 So 1.9 1.4

24 Dani Peterson F 6-1 Fr 1.5 2.0

21 Stephanie Buhler F 6-1 Fr (rs) 1.3 0.2

13 Jaime Judkins G 5-6 Jr 0.9 0.2

01 Jenteal Jackson G 5-7 Fr 0.7 1.0

2008-09 Cougar Stats Summary --

-- Shooting from the field: (.403, 287-713)

-- Shooting from the free-throw line: (.715, 133-186)

-- Shooting from three-point line: (.271, 60-221)

-- Average points per game: 63.9

-- Average assists per game: 14.4

-- Average steals per game: 9.6

-- Average blocks per game: 3.6

-- Average turnovers per game: 17.5

TEAM NOTABLES

-- With an 10-2 on the year and an eight-game win streak, the team is off to its best start since the 2005-06 season when BYU began the year 8-1.

-- Grabbed a season high 55 rebounds vs. Utah St., tying for second place in the programs history. Last time BYU had 55 rebounds was vs. CS Northridge on 12/9/06.

-- The overtime win against USU breaks a five-season long overtime losing streak. BYU’s last overtime win came against USC on 11/29/01. BYU is now 4-1 overall when playing two overtime periods.

-- In the game vs. Weber St., shot 49.2 percent (29-49) from the field; and shot 49.0 percent (24-49) against USC in Hawaii on 12/6/08, tying for the second best field goal percentages of the season. The best field goal percentage to date is 50.0 (20-40) on 12/5/08 vs. Wright State.

-- Four players scored in double figures in the win over Weber St., making it the first time this season four players scored in double digits in back-to-back games. The team had four score in double figures vs. USC.

-- Had six blocks at Long Beach Weber St., on 12/20/08 for the second best total of the season. Had a season-high seven blocks vs. Oregon on 11/21/08.

-- Dished out 19 assists at Portland on 01/03/08 and vs. USC on 12/6/08 for season bests. Had 18 in the home win vs. Weber St., on 12/10/08 as well as vs. SUU on 11/28/08 and vs. Oregon on 11/21/08.

-- With the 65-64 win over USC in Hawaii, BYU improved to 2-0 against Pac-10 schools this year. Head Coach Jeff Judkins is 9-4 overall against the Pac-10.

-- Had 14 steals vs. SUU for season bests, and 13 vs. Long Beach St., marking its second-best defensive effort

-- In the game vs. UConn, BYU went 7-8 from the free-throw line (87 percent), the second best of the year.

-- When the nation's No. 1 ranked UConn Huskies were in town on 11/25/08, they were the highest ranked women's basketball team to ever play in the Marriott Center and the highest ranked team that BYU has ever played.

-- In the victory at Nevada, BYU was perfect from the line in the first half going 9-9, and finished the game making 17 of 18, the team’s best to date.

-- With the 67-45 victory over Oregon on Fri., Nov. 21, coach Jeff Judkins improved to 7-1 in home openers.

-- For the first time this season, no BYU player scored in double figures, in the game at Portland, but the Cougar bench outscored the Pilots bench 36 to 19.

-- There were 3,109 fans in attendance at the UConn game, the highest crowd of the season.

-- BYU has the second-youngest squad in the nation this season. The Cougars have 14 underclassmen filling out their 2008-09 roster. They are the second-youngest to Northwestern State, who has 15 underclassmen this season.

PLAYER NOTABLES

Shawnee Slade:

-- scored 18 points vs. SUU on 11/28 for new season highs.

-- led the team in scoring with 14 points at Long Beach St., on 12/20 marking her seventh double digit performance of the season and 27th overall.

-- tops the list in scoring on the team with 12.6 points per contest.

-- recorded a season best eight boards vs. Utah St., on 12/13.

Mindy Nielson:

-- led the team and the game in points with 13 vs. Arkansas St., on 12/30 recording her sixth double figure game this year and her 13th overall.

-- tallied 12 points in the win at Long Beach St., on 12/20 for her fifth double figure contest this year and her 12th overall. In that same game had season highs in blocks with three.

-- scored 11 points in the victory over Weber St., for her fourth double digit game of the season and 11th overall, also dished out a season-high seven assists.

-- picked up new season and career highs in points with 27 at Nevada on 11/18 and was also 9-10 from the free

throw line.

Cassie King:

-- grabbed a team and game high nine boards in the win over Arkansas St., on 12/30.

-- has scored 14 points twice to date for season and career bests vs. Utah St. on 12/13 and vs. USC on 12/6.

-- tops the list in the rebound category grabbing 5.5 boards a game.

Jazmine Foreman:

-- grabbed a season high eight rebounds vs. Utah St., on 12/13 five coming in the first half.

-- scored a season and career high 19 points vs. USC on 12/6 and went 4-4 from the free-throw line, two of those sealed the win in the final seconds of the contest.

-- dished out eight assists vs. Wright St., on 12/5 for new season highs and tops this category on the team with a total of 40 for a 4.44 average.

-- picked up new season and career high four steals vs. Weber St., on 12/10.

Keilani Moeaki:

-- had two steals vs. Long Beach State, tying for season and career bests in that category.

-- grabbed eight rebounds which mark a new career best vs. Utah St. on 12/13.

Coriann Wood:

-- contributed 10 points in the victory over Long Beach St., on 12/20 (all in the first half) marking the sixth time this season and seventh career time she has scored in double figures.

-- had two blocks in the Long Beach win for new season and career highs in the category.

-- scored 13 points vs. Utah St., on 12/13, her fifth double digit game of the year and sixth overall, the points also mark three back-to-back double figure performances on the year.

-- tallied a season and career high 15 points vs. Weber St., on 12/10 for her fourth this season and fifth double digit performance of her career. The 15 points are just one more than her 14 points scored before fouling out of the game against USC on 12/6.

Kristen Riley:

-- set a new career high nine points, vs. SUU and was 4-6 from the field.

-- grabbed seven rebounds in the win at Portland on 01/03 for season and career highs in that category.

Megan Marks:

-- eight points vs. SUU were new career highs and was perfect 4-4 from the field.

-- grabbed six rebounds in the contest at Portland on 01/03 for new season and career highs.

Jenteal Jackson:

-- scored four points in the win over Weber State for season and career highs.

Stephanie Buhler:

-- scored six points at Portland on 01/03 for new season and career highs.

Jaime Judkins:

-- scored seven points at Portland on 01/03 for new season and career highs.

Dani Peterson:

-- picked up new season and career high in rebounds with five in the game at Portland on 01/03.

Three MWC Opponents This Week

Colorado State University (Jan. 10, 2009) in Provo, UT - 3 p.m. (MT)

The CSU Rams come to Provo with an (5-8, 0-0) record and host TCU on Wed. Jan. 7 prior to making the trip to play the Cougars. The team returns three starters and a total of seven letterwinners. Kandy Beemer, a 5-5 senior guard tops the list in scoring with 8.2 points and in assists, dishing out a total of 22 to date for a 1.7 average. In the rebound category, Amaka Uzomah, a 6-0 senior forward, grabs 6.3 boards per contest and has played in all games. Head coach Kristen Holt is in her first season with Colorado State.

CSU Probable Starters

No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

13 Britney Minor F 5-10 Sr 7.4 4.4

35 Juanise Cornell F 5-10 Jr 5.8 5.0

32 Carine Reimink C 6-1 Sr 5.5 3.6

15 Kandy Beemer G 5-5 Sr 8.2 2.0

23 Zoi Simmons G 5-6 So 4.5 3.1

Stat Comparison

Category BYU CSU

Points: 63.9 59.5

FG: .403 .363

FT: .715 .652

3FG: .271 .312

Reb: 37.4 41.6

Series Information

Record: BYU leads the series with a 47-22 record.

Last Meeting: In last season’s MWC race, the Cougar women won both contests against the Rams. In Provo on 2/13/08 the 15-point win was 59-44 and in Ft. Collins on 1/12/08 the victory for the visiting team was by a wider margin, 60-39. The Rams last win at the Marriott Center was on 02/13/04, a 72-64 victory where they have a 6-24 record. Coach Judkins is 11-5 vs. CSU.

TCU (Jan. 13, 2009) in Ft. Worth, TX - 6:30 p.m. (CT)

TCU has compiled an 8-5 overall record and was ranked top-25 earlier this season. They return two starters and five letterwinners from a team that went 23-12, 13-3 and finished second in the MWC standings. This week the Horned Frogs have three players scoring in double figures with Helena Sverriddottir’s 16.6 points and a team high 6.8 rebounds. TK LaFleur follows with 15.6 points and 4.9 boards. Rachel Rentschler rounds out the double digit scoring on the squad with her 10.0 points and 5.7 boards. They enter MWC play on a three-game losing streak and play at CSU on Jan. 7 and at UNLV on Jan. 10. Head coach Jeff Mittie is in his 10th season with TCU.

TCU Probable Starters

No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

41 Rachel Rentschler F 6-2 So 10.0 5.7

42 Micah Garoutte F 6-2 So 6.8 4.6

04 Helene Sverrisdotir F 6-1 So 16.6 6.8

15 Emily Carter F 6-1 So 8.3 3.4

12 TK LaFleur G 5-8 Jr 15.6 4.9

Stat Comparison

Category BYU TCU

Points: 63.9 74.8

FG: .403 .431

FT: .715 .775

3FG: .271 .393

Reb: 37.4 36.8

Series Information

Record: BYU leads the series 7-5

Last Meeting: These two MWC foes met twice last year with TCU picking up both wins. In Ft. Worth, the Horned Frogs won by a score of 73-54 and in Provo, TCU defeated BYU by 11, 72-61. When playing at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, the Cougars have a 3-3 record with their last win coming on 1/25/06, a three-point, 67-64, BYU victory. Coach Judkins has a 5-4 record vs. TCU.

New Mexico (Jan. 17, 2009) in Provo, UT - 3 p.m. (MT)

Heading into the first week of MWC action, UNM sits at the top of the standings with an 11-2 record and has been ranked nationally. They host UNLV on Jan. 7 and are at Air Force on Jan. 10 before the Jan. 17 game in Provo. On this year’s Lobo team are three returning starters and a total of 10 letterwinners. Two players score in double figures for UNM. Junior guard Amy Beggin is averaging 16.1 points and 4.6 boards per game while Angela Hartill contributes 12.5 points and grabs 5.0 boards. Amanda Adamson tops the list in the rebound category grabbing 6.9 boards per game. Head coach Don Flanigan is in his 14th season at the helm of the New Mexico program.

UNM Probable Starters

No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

03 Eileen Weissman F 6-0 Jr 5.7 3.4

15 Amanda Adamson F 6-0 Sr 9.1 6.9

44 Angela Hartill C 6-3 Sr 12.5 5.0

10 Amy Beggin G 5-6 Jr 16.1 4.6

32 Amanda Best G/F 6-0 So 5.0 5.2

Stat Comparison

Category BYU UNM

Points: 63.9 69.8

FG: .403 .413

FT: .715 .770

3FG: .271 .358

Reb: 37.4 42.5

Series Information

Record: BYU leads the series 38-24.

Last Meeting: During last year’s MWC action, the Lobos won two of the three meetings. In the first matchup, BYU beat UNM 41-38 in Albuquerque. Then the Lobos came to Provo and beat the Cougars 55-45 followed by a third meeting in the quarterfinals of the MWC Championship in Las Vegas. In that contest, UNM beat BYU 59-41. The Lobos went on to win the MWC Championships. In Provo, the visiting UNM squad has a 6-22 record. Coach Judkins has a 6-12 record against the Lobos.

Cougars Travel Itinerary to Ft. Worth

Team flight: Mon., Jan. 12 - American #1848 departs Salt Lake City at 12:10 p.m., arrives in Dallas/Ft.Worth at 3:45 p.m.

Team flight: Wed., Jan. 14 - American #619 departs Dallas/Ft.Worth at 9:30 a.m., arrives in Salt Lake City at 11:25 a.m.

Team hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Ft. Worth-University, 3150 Riverfront Dr., 817-335-1300, 817-336-6926, fax.

What’s Next

MWC play continues with two road games for the Cougars. BYU is at UNLV on Wed., Jan. 21 and at San Diego State on Sat., Jan. 24.