PROVO -- In the final game of MWC regular season play, the BYU women's basketball team lost a close game to the TCU Horned Frogs, 61-72, on Senior Night at the Marriott Center.

"It's hard losing your last game of the season," said BYU head Coach Jeff Judkins. "But we fought hard and played aggressively to the end."

Junior Shawnee Slade led the Cougars with a double-double, scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. She now has 14 double-digit games in her career. Senior Mallary Gillespie-Carling's 17-point performance marked her 66th double-digit outing of her career and 19th this season.

The first half of the game proved to be a tight contest, as both teams played aggressively and fought continually for the ball. The score remained close throughout the half, with eight lead changes and four ties.

"TCU is a great team," Judkins said. "They're very experienced and they executed their plays very well."

Despite TCU's strong defense, BYU shot 48 percent from the field in the first half. Gillesphie-Carling sunk three 3-pointers, while Slade, senior Ashley Cheesman, and junior Cassie King were each 1-for-1 from behind the arc.

Just when it looked like BYU would go into the second half with a lead, TCU hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give them a 30-32 lead over BYU.

The Horned Frogs scored the first two baskets of the second half, but BYU's Mindy Nielsen responded by hitting a jumper and drawing a foul on the shot making it a 33-36 game with 16:30 left in the game.

Despite a 10-point lead by TCU at 11:37, Shawnee Slade boosted the Cougar score by sinking a three-point shot. TCU then went on to score six straight points from the free-throw line.

With 5:42 left in the half, Cheesman made a quick drive to the basket but was fouled on the shot by TCU. She scored both free-throws, increasing the score to 54-63. A few minutes later, Slade attempted a three-pointer and missed but followed the shot with a lay up, making the score 57-63.

BYU will begin post-season play Wed. March 12, in Las Vegas at 1:30 p.m., against New Mexico. BYU will be the fifth-seeded team at the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

Official Basketball Box Score
TCU vs Brigham Young Univer
03-08-08 5:30 PM at MARRIOTT CTR, BYU, PROVO UT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISITORS: TCU 20-10; 13-3
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
04 SVERRISDOTTIER, Hele f  2-5    1-1    4-4    4  1  5   4   9  2  2  0  1  23
14 BUTLER-RAYFORD, Lori f  2-11   0-3    5-6    5  4  9   2   9  3  3  0  1  33
42 GAROUTTE, Micah..... c  1-4    0-0    2-2    1  3  4   0   4  2  0  1  0  24
10 KNIGHT, Moneka...... g  3-6    0-2    4-6    1  3  4   4  10  2  3  0  3  27
33 ROSS, Adrianne...... g  4-13   2-4    6-9    0  5  5   2  16  2  3  1  2  30
11 RODEN, Helen........    4-6    1-2    3-4    0  4  4   0  12  1  0  0  1  24
15 CARTER, Emily.......    0-2    0-1    0-0    0  2  2   0   0  0  0  0  1  15
32 NUNN, Danielle......    3-4    0-0    0-0    1  0  1   1   6  0  0  0  2  15
40 LOHSE, Jenna........    1-1    0-0    0-0    1  0  1   0   2  0  0  0  0   3
55 YOUNGER, Micaela....    1-2    0-0    2-2    0  0  0   1   4  0  0  0  0   6
   TEAM................                         1  2  3
   Totals..............   21-54   4-13  26-33  14 24 38  14  72 12 11  2 11 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 12-28 42.9%   2nd Half:  9-26 34.6%   Game: 38.9%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  2-4  50.0%   2nd Half:  2-9  22.2%   Game: 30.8%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  6-9  66.7%   2nd Half: 20-24 83.3%   Game: 78.8%    2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME TEAM: Brigham Young Univer 13-15; 7-9
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
05 CHEESMAN, Ashley.... f  1-2    0-0    3-4    0  6  6   2   5  1  2  0  1  24
32 SLADE, Shawnee...... f  8-16   2-7    2-2    4  6 10   0  20  3  2  0  0  36
52 VARLEY, Lauren...... c  1-3    0-0    0-2    1  2  3   3   2  0  1  1  0   8
22 NIELSON, Mindy...... g  4-11   0-4    1-2    1  3  4   4   9  1  4  1  2  33
30 CARLING, Mallary.... g  6-13   5-9    0-0    0  1  1   4  17  4  4  0  1  38
00 NICHOLS, Lauren.....    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  1  0  0  0   0
03 FOREMAN, Jazmine....    1-2    0-1    0-0    1  1  2   3   2  4  2  0  0  19
13 JUDKINS, Jaime......    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0  0+
14 RED, Sarah..........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0   2
23 WOOD, Coriann.......    0-4    0-2    0-0    0  1  1   1   0  0  0  0  1  14
45 MOEAKI, Keilani.....    1-1    0-0    1-2    0  1  1   4   3  1  2  0  0  15
54 KING, Cassie........    1-3    1-1    0-0    0  1  1   2   3  0  0  0  1  11
55 MARKS, Megan........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0  0+
   TEAM................                         3  2  5
   Totals..............   23-55   8-24   7-12  10 24 34  23  61 15 17  2  6 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 12-25 48.0%   2nd Half: 11-30 36.7%   Game: 41.8%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  5-9  55.6%   2nd Half:  3-15 20.0%   Game: 33.3%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  1-5  20.0%   2nd Half:  6-7  85.7%   Game: 58.3%    3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials: MIKE PETTY, LES WILLIAMS, ANITA MYLES
Technical fouls: TCU-None. Brigham Young Univer-None.
Attendance: 507
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
TCU...........................   32   40  -   72
Brigham Young Univer..........   30   31  -   61
OFFICIAL FINAL
Points in the paint-TC 26,BY 18. Points off turnovers-TC 13,BY 10.
2nd chance points-TC 14,BY 11. Fast break points-TC 0,BY 2.
Bench points-TC 24,BY 8. Score tied-4 times. Lead changed-8 times.
Last FG-TC 2nd-00:51, BY 2nd-03:14.
Largest lead-TC by 11 2nd-14:31, BY by 2 1st-02:13.

Final MWC regular season game brings the Horned Frogs to the Marriott Center Saturday, Mar. 8. BYU in fifth place in this week's league standings at (13-14, 7-8 hosts second place TCU (18-10, 11-3) in a 5:30 p.m. tip off.

During Sat. game, the Cougars' three seniors Ashley Cheesman, Lauren Varley and Mallary Carling will be honored.

Game #28- 03/08/08: BYU vs.TCU Time: 5:30 p.m. MT Arena: Marriott Center

Following the Cougars

TV: Saturday's game vs.TCU will air nationally on CSTV. Chris McGee and Sonya Neeler-Willhoite will be the talent.

Radio: The BYU vs. TCU game on Sat. Mar. 8 will air tape delay on KQMB, 96.7 FM. at approximately 8:15 p.m. MT

Internet: Saturday's game between BYU and TCU will also air tape delay on the internet at byuradio.org/streaming. at approx. 8:15 p.m.MT, following the broadcast of the men's game from Ft. Worth, TX. Jay Monsen will call the action for BYU Radio and KQMB.

Live stats: All of the games can be accessed with the live stats link by logging onto: www.byucougars.com/basketball_w/

Cougar All-Acccess: Those who have signed up for Cougar All-Access can also view the games on their computers.

BYU Probable Starters

No. NamePos. Ht.Yr.PPGRPG

22 Mindy NielsonG5-10Fr7.32.9

30 Mallary G. Carling G5-10Sr13.93.6

32 Shawnee SladeF 5-11Jr7.45.3

5 Ashley CheesmanF 6-0Sr2.52.2

52 Lauren R. VarleyC 6-3Sr7.28.8

Reserve Players

No. NamePos. Ht.Yr.PPGRPG

54 Cassie KingF6-3Jr4.72.9

45 Keilani MoeakiF6-2Fr3.83.2

23 Coriann WoodF6-1Fr3.52.3

14 Sarah RedG/F5-11Jr (rs) 2.50.3

3 Jazmine ForemanG5-5Fr1.81.0

13 Jaime JudkinsG5-6So0.80.5

55 Megan MarksF6-2Fr0.50.9

0 Lauren NicholsF6-0Fr (rs) 0.40.1

Team Stats -- 2007-08

-- Shooting from the field: (.388, 535-1379)

-- Shooting from the free-throw line: (.662, 221-334)

-- Shooting from three-point line: (.300, 131-437)

-- Average points per game: 54.7

-- Average rebounds per game: 38.4

byu quick hits

The team

-- Two starters are among the six letterwinners returning for the 2007-08 season.The team also returns two redshirts in addition to six very talented newcomers

-- The seniors are MWC Second Team honoree guard Mallary Gillespie-Carling and MWC Honorable Mention Lauren Riley-Varley. Both were also named to the 2007 MWC All-Tournament Team.

-- Among the letterwinners are junior forward/guard combo Shawnee Slade, senior forward Ashley Cheesman and junior center Cassie King. The trio return with the most playing experience and an understanding of coach Judkins' game plan. Guard Jaime Judkins who also comes in with significant playing time experience.

-- Two redshirts who were on the team last year, freshman forward Lauren Nichols and sophomore guard Sarah Red, a transfer from the University of Utah, will also provide solid experience on the team as newcomers.

-- Six new incoming freshmen will take to the court in 2007-08. They are:

Stephanie Buhler: 6-0, F, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS

Jazmine Foreman: 5-5, G, Vancouver, WA/Hudson's Bay HS

Megan Marks: 6-2, F, South Jordan, UT/Bingham HS

Keilani Moeaki: 6-2, F, Warrenville, IL/Wheaton Warrenville South HS

Mindy Nielson: 5-10, G, Centennial, CO/ Regis Jesuit HS

Coriann Wood: 6-1, F, Basin City, WA/Connell HS

2007-08 Highlights and Notables

TEAM

-- Team captains for the year are seniors Mallary Carling and Lauren Varley

-- When playing on the road this season, BYU has a 4-9 record to date.

--The 56-42 home victory over No.15 Wyoming marked the first time the Cougars have defeated a ranked opponent since the 55-52 upset against then No. 5 Stanford in Palo Alto Calif., in the 2007 Preseason WNIT on11/13/06. BYU was ranked No. 24 at that time.

-- With the 67 points scored vs. UNLV on 01/16/08, BYU improved to 7-0 this season when scoring at least 60 points a game.

-- The 6,206 fans in attendance in the Marriott Center for the Utah game on 01/19/08 set a new school record.

-- The 55 rebounds by the Cougars vs Fresno St. on 11/17/07 are a season high and rank tied for third place in the program's history.

-- The win over Fresno St. improved BYU's all-time record in home openers to 24-11 and under coach Judkins is now 6-1.

-- The 78 points and the 55 rebounds recorded in the win over Fresno St. are the most in both categories to date.

-- For the first time this season four of BYU's five starters fouled out of the game at UNLV on 2/16/08.

-- The Cougars have gone into the locker room at the break tied just twice this year and have a 1-1 record ( a 52-54 loss to New Mexico State on 12/05/07 and most recently a 46-43 win over MWC foe SDSU on 2/23/08).

-- The team grabbed 48 rebounds in the game at UNLV on 2/16/08 marking the second best outrebounding game to date during MWC action. They grabbed 49 rebounds at UNM on 1/26/08.

-- The nine three pointers made at UNLV on 216/08 were the most against and MWC opponent to date and tied a season high. BYU also had nine treys vs. UCLA on 12/15/07.

-- In turnovers, the team had season lows of just 13 in two games vs. MWC opponents (Wyoming on 2/2/08 and AF on 1/30/08).

-- The team grabbed a game high 49 boards in the win at UNM on 1/26/08, marking the third best rebound output of the season and the best over an MWC foe to date.

-- In the win over Utah Valley, the team scored 72 points which is second best of the year and the 20-point margin of victory is the most this season.

-- The 20 assists in the win over Utah Valley on 12/08/07 were the most to date.

-- In the Dec. 8th win over the Wolverines, the 17 steals were a new season best.

-- BYU scored 35 points in the first half vs. Utah Valley, the second most scored in a first half and the fourth most in any half to date.

-- The Cougars held CSU to 39 total points in the first league game of the year on 1/12/08, the lowest total points scored by an opponent to date. The Rams only scored 16 points in the first half of action, the lowest by an opponent to date. In the second meeting between the two teams on 2/13/08 CSU, scored 15 points in the first half.

-- Scoring Summary:

--Games with two players scoring in double figures- (9) UCSB, Ark. State, New Mexico State, UVU, at CSU on 1/12/08, vs. UNLV on 1/16/08, at UNM on 1/26/08, at TCU on 2/5/08, at AF on 3/1/08.

--Games with three players scoring in double figures- (5) Fresno State, Weber State, Utah State, vs. Wyoming on 2/2/08, and vs. CSU on 2/13/08.

--Games with four players scoring in double figures- (2) UCLA and at UNLV on 2/16/08.

-- Starting lineups: most recent*Record

Foreman, Carling, Slade, Cheesman, Varley: 2-2

Foreman, Carling, Slade, King, Varley: 1-1

Judkins, Carling, Slade, Wood, Varley: 0-1

Foreman, Carling, Slade, Moeaki, Varley: 1-2

Nielson, Carling, Slade, Moeaki, Varley:4-2

Nielson, Carling, Slade, Chessman, Varley:5-4*

Nielson, Carling, Slade, Red, Varley:0-1

PLAYER

--Center Lauren Riley-Varley: Recorded her fifth double double of the year and 10th career with 10 points and team high 13 rebounds at UNLV on 2/16/08. Added her fourth double double of the season and ninth career with 11 points and 11 rebounds vs. CSU on 2/13/08. In the home game vs. AF picked up new season and career highs in rebounds with 15. Versus UNLV on 1/16/08, she picked up her third double double of the season and eighth overall with the 14 points and 11 rebounds. She picked up back-to-back double doubles in the first two games of this season with 14 points and 11 rebounds against UCSB and 16 points and 13 boards at Arkansas State. The 16 points at Ark. St., were season highs to date. Varley scored 10 points in the game at Utah St., on 12/29/07 for her fourth double figure game this season and 23rd career double digit contest.

--Guard Mallary Gillespie-Carling: Named MWC Player of the Week on Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. Has scored in double figures in 65 games during her career, 18 so far this year including the 14 points vs. UNM on 2/26/08. She ranks 14th in BYU's 1,000-point club with 1,368 as of 3/1/08. Carling has scored 20-plus points six times this season including five times vs. MWC foes. In the home game vs. Utah on 01/19/08 she tallied five treys for new season highs. At home vs. UNLV on 1/16/08, she scored 17 first-half points, the most she has scored in any half this season, and her 10 free throws were the most she has made in any game during her career. In the three-point field goals made category, ranks second with a career total of 240, and 58 to date.

--Guard Mindy Nielson: Scored a new season and career high in points with 16 at UNLV on 2/16/08 marking her seventh double figure contest of the year. Dished out a season high nine assists in the game vs. CSU on 2/13/08. Tallied 15 points at Weber State on 12/12//07. Picked up season and career highs in blocks (5), steals, (5), rebounds (6) vs. Utah Valley St. on 12/08/07.

-- Forward/Guard Shawnee Slade: Picked up 10 points in the game at AF on 3/1/08 for her 19th career, eighth this season and fourth against an MWC foe. Grabbed new season and career highs in rebounds with 12 vs. Wyoming on 2/2/08, and has recorded eight or more rebounds in seven games this season. Tallied 11 points in the contest at UNLV on 2/16/08 for her 18th career, seventh season, and third league double digit game. Scored 14 points in the game vs. CSU on 2/13/08 marking her 17th career double digit contest, her sixth this year and the second in MWC action. She led the team in scoring with 15 points vs. Utah Valley on 12/08/07 marking her 13th career double digit game contest. Grabbed a season and career high 11 rebounds vs. New Mexico State on 12/05/07. The 11 boards were team and game highs as well.

--Forward Coriann Wood: Picked up season and career highs in points with 13 in the league game at CSU on 01/12/08. In that same game, she tallied season and career highs in three-pointers with three. She grabbed season and career highs in rebounds in the game at UConn on 11/29/07 with five boards. Wood started her first collegiate game at Sacred Heart on 12/01/07.

-- Guard Jazmine Foreman: Dished out season and career highs in assists (8) vs. Utah Valley on 12/08/07.

-- Guard Jaime Judkins: Started in the game at Sacred Heart on 12/01/07. Dished out three assists in the game at Weber St. on 12/12/07 for new season and career highs.

-- Guard/Forward Sarah Red: Picked up seven points at SDSU on 1/23/08 for new season and career highs. Got her first start on the season in the game at Utah on 2/19/08. Grabbed a season and career high three boards vs. CSU on 2/13/08.

-- Forward Ashley Cheesman: Tallied new season and BYU career high in points with 10 vs. CSU on 2/13/08. Dished out season and BYU career highs in assists with three vs. SDSU on 2/23/08.

-- Center Cassie King: Scored 10 points at AF on 3/1/08 for her fourth double digit game this season and her second in MWC action. Grabbed a season high eight boards at UNLV on 2/16/08.

About This Week's League Opponents

WYOMING - Laramie, WY at 6:00 p.m. (03/05/08)

In the last week of the MWC regular season, the Cowgirls are in third place with a 11-4 record and are ranked 24/25 in the national polls. Their overall record stands at 23-5 and they have a 6-1 home record in league play. Three players are scoring in double digits for Wyoming led by Hanna Zavecz's 13.5 points and a team high 5.9 boards per game. Justyna Podziemska follows with 12.8 points and 5.7 rebounds. Aubrey Vandiver, who has played in all games, contributes 11.3 points and 5.8 boards.

WY Probable Starters

Pos.No.NameHtYrPPGRPG

F05Hanna Zavecz6-0Sr13.55.9

F10Rebecca Vanderjagt6-3 Jr3.73.5

G25Justyna Podziemska6-2Sr12.85.7

G02Jodi Bolerjack5-9Sr9.11.8

G12Dominique Sisk5-10 Sr6.22.9

Stat Comparisons BYUWY

Field Goals:.388.418

Free Throws:.662.706

Three-Pointers:.300.338

Points Per Game:54.764.2

Rebounds Per Game:38.434.4

Series History

Record: 45-18 favoring BYU.

Last Meeting: In the first game between these two league foes, the Cougars picked up the 56-42 win in Provo on 2/2/08. For BYU, three players scored in double digits led by 20 points from Carling, 13 from Nielson and 10 from King. Junior forward/guard combo Slade toped the list in rebounds with 12. When playing at Arena Auditorium, the Cougars have an 11-18 record with their last win a 69-62 victory on 2/15/07.

TCU - Provo, Utah at 5:30 p.m. (03/08/08)

The Horned Frogs come to the Marriott Center in second place in this week's league standings with a 11-3 record. They host Air Force on Wed. Mar. 5 before making the trip to Provo for Saturday's game. TCU is led in scoring by senior guard Adrianne Ross who tallies 13.4 points and 3.6 boards a game. She also tops the list in assists with a total of 85 to date. Guard/forward combo Lorie Butler-Rayford follows with 10.9 points and a team high 7.1 rebounds per contest. Head coach Jeff Mittie is in his 10th season with the TCU women's basketball program.

TCU Probable Starters

Pos.No.NameHtYrPPGRPG

F14Lorie Butler-Rayford5-11Sr10.97.1

F42Mika Garoutte6-2 Fr3.32.2

G04Helena Sverrisdottir6-1Fr9.45.8

G10Moneka Knight5-7 Sr5.92.1

G33Adrianne Ross5-8Sr13.43.6

Stat Comparisons BYUTCU

Field Goals:.388.410

Free Throws:.662.681

Three-Pointers:.300.318

Points Per Game:54.769.6

Rebounds Per Game:38.438.1

Series History

Record: 7-4 favoring BYU.

Last Meeting: The first meeting this year between the Cougars and Horned Frogs took place in Ft. Worth on 2/5/08 where TCU won on its homecourt, 73-54. In that game, freshman Mindy Nielson led the BYU effort with 14 points while senior Mallary Carling tallied 11. In rebounds, Varley, Carling and Slade grabbed five each. The Horned Frogs are 1-3 when playing at the Marriott Center picking up their last win on 11/29/03, a 79-74 victory.

Travel/Practice Schedule

Travel

Team Flight: Tues, Mar. 4, Delta flight # 3983 departs from Salt Lake City at 11:30 a.m., arriving in Denver at 1 p.m. The team will then bus to Laramie.

Team Flight: Thurs, Mar. 6, Delta flight # 1073 departs from Denver at 12:35 p.m., arriving in Salt Lake City at 2 p.m.

Team Hotel: Hampton Inn, 3715 E. Grand Avenue, 307-742-0125, 307-742-0126, fax.

Practice

The Cougars are scheduled to shootaround at Arena Auditorium on Wed., Mar. 5 at 11 a.m.

Media Availability

Team Practice Times - at home

-The BYU team practices at the Marriott Center MWF from 11:30 a.m., to 1:30 p.m. On Tuesday's, practice is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m., and on Thursday's from 11:30 to 2 p.m.

- Coach Judkins and players are available for interviews prior to or after practice. All interviews are scheduled in advance. Norma Collett is the Basketball Communications Director for the team and can be contacted by phone or email. Contact at: 801-422-4908, office, 801-372-0989, cell, and email norma_collett@byu.edu

Looking Ahead

After the team's final MWC regular season game on Sat. Mar. 8, the Cougars will prepare to compete in the 2008 MWC Championships scheduled for Mar. 11-15 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. Pairings for the tournament will be announced on Sunday, Mar. 9.