Bailey and Eaton lead BYU past Pacific

PROVO, Utah — Morgan Bailey and Lexi Eaton combined for 63 points to lead BYU women's basketball over Pacific 89-72 Thursday night at the Marriott Center.

“That was one of our best games of the year no question,” BYU head coach Jeff Judkins said. “I think Morgan proved who the best player in the league is pretty quickly tonight. She got the ball in places she wanted it and scored. Lexi did a good job of getting the ball inside and then when they started collapsing, she looked to score and got some easy baskets at the rim. They’re such a good one-two punch, it’s so hard to guard both of them at the same time.”

Eaton scored a career-high 32 points and eight assists. Bailey tied her career high with 31 points. With 11 total rebounds, she also finished the day with her eighth double-double of the season. Kylie Maeda added six points and a career-high nine assists in the winning effort. Makenzi Morrison also dished out a career-high six assists to go with her seven points.

An aggressive Pacific (13-4, 5-1 West Coast Conference) defense made it difficult for BYU (14-4. 6-1) to shoot inside, but they couldn’t stop Bailey. She made eight of the first 10 points for the Cougars, all under the rim.

Eaton also had a strong start in the game, as she went 3 for 3 from the arc in the opening minutes of the game.

“Lexi and Morgan did a great job of taking what the defense gives you and that’s what you want as a coach, and when it finally clicks it feels good," Judkins said.

The Cougars led 45-34 going in to the half, finishing the first 20 minutes of action on a 10-0 run and a buzzer-beater from Bailey.

Kicking off the second half, BYU continued its momentum with an 11-2 run where all five starters scored a basket. The Cougars had three other impressive runs, leading to a 32-point advantage, 79-47 with 10:34 left in the game.

BYU’s bench emptied during the last 10 minutes of the contest with every healthy player getting time on the court.

BYU will host Saint Mary’s at the Marriott Center Saturday at 2 p.m. MST.  The game will be broadcast live on BYUtv and streamed online on BYU Radio. Live stats will be available on the BYU women's basketball schedule page.

Postgame Notes

Team
BYU led 45-34 at the half after Morgan Bailey nailed a baseline jump shot at the halftime buzzer. The team is now 11-0 when leading at halftime. This loss for Pacific snapped its five-game WCC winning streak.

The Cougars scored a season-high 89 points on 50 percent shooting, their fifth game scoring over 80 points and the second straight. They held the Tigers to 72 points on 41 percent shooting.

BYU outrebounded Pacific 20 to 12 after the first 20 minutes of action. The Cougars went on to win the rebounding battle, 42 to 28.

BYU dished out 16 assists in the first half, compared to Pacific’s eight. The team dished out a season-high 31 assists. The previous high was 24 against Butler on Nov. 26.

Every available player on the BYU roster saw playing time tonight against the Tigers.

With the home victory over Pacific, the Cougars extend their winning streak to six games in league play.

Player

Morgan Bailey

Bailey scored 31 points, which tied her career-high 31 points she scored at Portland on Dec. 29. She also grabbed 11 rebounds, earning her eighth double-double of the season, 16th of her career.

Eight of BYU’s first 10 points were scored by Bailey. She had 21 first-half points, the most she has scored in the first half this season. Her previous high was 17 against Oregon State on Nov. 29.

Lexi Eaton

Eaton scored a career-high in points tonight with 32, which was her second time scoring over 30 points this season.

After shooing 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, Eaton scored 17 points after the first 20 minutes. She finished shooting 5 of 6 for threes.

Eaton also had a career-high eight assists.

Kylie Maeda

Maeda dished out a career-high nine assists. She also scored six points.

Makenzi Morrison

Morrison scored seven points and had a career-high six assists. She also grabbed three rebounds.

Xojian Harry

This was Harry’s second start of the season. She scored five points, four rebounds, and three assists.