With win streak at 13, Cougar women host Santa Clara Saturday

BYU vs. Santa Clara Notes

Santa Clara vs. BYU Game Notes

PROVO, UT— With a 13-game win streak and in first place in the West Coast Conference standings, BYU women’s basketball (21-4, 13-1) plays one more home game this week. The Cougar women host Santa Clara (19-5, 12-3), Saturday, Feb. 13, in a noon tip off. The game will be carried live on BYUtv and simulcast on BYU Radio.

BYU at a Glance
BYU’s second all-time leading scorer and the WCC’s all-time leading scorer, senior guard Lexi Eaton Rydalch is one of three BYU players putting up double figures in points with a team-best 24.8 points. She ranks second on the team in rebounds, pulling down 5.9 boards a game. Junior Makenzi Morrison Pulsipher contributes 12.5 points to the Cougars’ offensive threat. All-American Kalani Purcell, a JC transfer from Hutchinson Community College and Hamilton, New Zealand, rounds out the scoring with her 11.3 points, and with a team best 12.4 rebounds is averaging a double-double. Purcell tops the league in rebounds and in assists while Rydalch leads the way in scoring.

The Cougars are scoring 69.0 points and grabbing 38.6 rebounds while shooting 41.7 percent from the field, 69.3 percent from the free throw line and 36.1 percent from 3-point range. BYU is holding opponents to 60.8 points per game.

• Head coach: Jeff Judkins (Utah, ‘78) 15th season
• Team’s leading scorer: #21 L. Eaton Rydalch, 24.8 ppg
• Team’s leading rebounder: #32 K. Purcell, 12.4 rpg
• Team’s assists leader: #32 K. Purcell, 4.8 apg
• Team’s steals leader: #23 M. Pulsipher, 2.2 spg
• Team’s blocks leader: #32, K. Purcell, .88 bpg

SANTA CLARA at a Glance
Santa Clara has compiled an 19-5, 10-3 record, and is on a seven-game win streak. Most recently, they beat San Diego, 61-47 Thursday night.

Currently, the Broncos have two players scoring in double digits with 11.1 points from Lori Parkinson and 10.0 points from Morgan McGwire. Parkinson also leads the way in the rebound category, pulling down 6.4 boards a game.

After playing in 24 games, Santa Clara is averaging 65.2 points per game, shoots 39.7 percent from the field, 28.1 from 3-point range and 67.8 from the free throw line. On defense, they are holding opponents to 56.9 points a contest.

• Head coach: JR Payne, Second season
• Team’s leading scorer: #20 L. Parkinson, 11.1 ppg
• Team’s leading rebounder: #20 L. Parkinson, 6.4 rpg
• Team’s assists leader: #24 S. Hanson, 2.3 apg
• Team’s steals leader: #03 T. Berry, 2.3 spg
• Team’s blocks leader: #20 Parkinson, 1.1 bpg

Series History
BYU leads the series 11-1. Santa Clara has never won a game in Provo in the history of the series.

The Cougars and Broncos met in Santa Clara on Jan. 7, where BYU picked up the 68-63 road victory led by a game-high 27 points from Lexi Rydalch. Kalani Purcell also put up double digits in scoring with 17 and with a game-best 12 rebounds had a double-double. Kylie Maeda tied for game bests in assists with five while contributing two points and two rebounds in the road win. The Cougars finished the game shooting 33.9 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free throw line and were 6 of 16 from 3-point range.

Four players for Santa Clara scored in double figures led by 14 from Kyla Martin. Both teams finished with 13 assists each and in rebounds, the Cougars pulled down one more than the Broncos, 44 to 43. Santa Clara shot 33.8 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe and went 3 of 15 from behind the arc.

Coming Up
BYU hosts its final home WCC game next Thursday, Feb. 18, when San Diego makes its yearly appearance at the Marriott Center. The Cougars and Toreros tip off at 7 p.m. MT. The game will be televised live on BYUtv. Seniors Lexi Eaton Rydalch and Kylie Maeda will be recognized at the game.