Battle for second place in WCC vs. SMC Thursday, at Pacific Saturday

BYU vs. Saint Mary's Game Notes

PROVO, Utah— After a disappointing one-point, 70-69, loss at San Diego, BYU women’s basketball (11-8, 6-2) is at home Thursday night in a battle for second place in the West Coast Conference race.

The Cougars host Saint Mary’s (13-6, 6-2) at 7 p.m. MST. BYUtv will carry the game live with a video stream available at byutv.org. 

After Thursday’s league game, the women’s team travels to Stockton, California to take on Pacific Saturday, Jan. 27 in a 2 p.m., tipoff. That game will be carried live on BYU Radio.

ABOUT BYU

The Cougars are tied with Saint Mary’s for second place heading into this week’s league action. BYU lost at SMC, 57-49, on Dec. 30.

After playing in a total of 19 games, the Cougars are averaging 68.1 points and pull down 39.5 boards a contest. BYU shoots 42.2 percent from the field, 33.1 percent from the 3-point line and 65.5 percent from the charity stripe.

In the game at San Diego Saturday afternoon, four players scored in double digits for the fifth time on the year. The Cougars recorded eight blocks against the Toreros, making it the 14th game where BYU tallied more blocks than its opponents. In all games played, the Cougars have dished out more assists seven times.

BYU Player Stat Leaders

Scoring: #20 C. Devashrayee (19.5 ppg)

Rebounding: #22 S. Hamson (6.8 rpg)

Assists: #20 Devashrayee (4.6 apg)

Steals: #20 Devashrayee (2.1 spg)

Blocks: #22 S. Hamson (4.4 bpg)

ABOUT SAINT MARY’S

The Gaels come to Provo with a 13-6, 6-2 record. SMC is coming off a 96-88 home win over Pacific. Saint Mary’s has also captured conference wins over Santa Clara, San Diego and Pepperdine.

The Gaels are averaging 71.9 points and 38.5 rebounds per game. SMC shoots 48.5 percent from the field, 33.1 from behind the arc and 66.2 percent from the free-throw line.

Saint Mary’s is coached by Paul Thomas, who has compiled a 228-143 record in his 12 seasons at the helm of the women’s program.

SMC Player Stat Leaders

Scoring: #25 M. McKay (15.4 ppg)

Rebounding: #12 S. Raggio (8.5 rpg)

Assists: #3 J. Forcadilla (3.7 apg)

Steals: #21 S. Beck (1.5 bpg)

Blocks: #12 S. Raggio (1.1 bpg)

SERIES HISTORY

SMC leads the series over BYU 9-7 including a 57-49 win in Moraga on Dec. 30. When Saint Mary’s plays in Provo, they have a 2-5 record. The last time the Gaels won in Provo was on Jan. 17, 2015, a 10-point, 61-51 SMC victory.

In last year’s league race, each team won on its home court. The two foes met a third time last season in the semis of the 2017 WCC Championships in Las Vegas. In that matchup, the Gaels beat the Cougars 59-49 on March 6 to advance to the championship game. Saint Mary’s has won the last three meetings versus BYU.

ABOUT PACIFIC

The Pacific Tigers enter this week’s conference race with a 9-10, 3-5 record, tied for fifth place with Pepperdine. They host San Francisco on Thursday before playing the Cougars on Saturday afternoon.

Pacific is putting up 78.4 points a game while grabbing 37.9 boards. The Tigers are shooting 43.4 percent from the field, 33.1 percent from 3-point land and 73.8 from the free-throw line.

In WCC action, Pacific has recorded wins over San Diego, Portland and Pepperdine.

PAC Player Stat Leaders

Scoring: #15 G. Luaulu-Sumers (17.2 ppg)

Rebounding: #2 J. Grant (7.3 rpg)

Assists: #15 G. Luaulu-Sumers  (6.2 apg)

Steals: #15 G. Luaulu-Sumers (2.8 spg)

Blocks: #22 D. Finnie (.84 bpg)

SERIES HISTORY

BYU leads the series vs. Pacific 13-3. When playing in Stockton, the Cougars have a 5-1 record.

This will be the second meeting between the two league foes this year. In the game in Provo on Jan. 6, BYU picked up the 77-65 win.

Last season, the Cougars swept the series with Pacific.

 

UP NEXT
After Saturday’s game at Pacific, BYU women’s basketball returns home for two back-to-back league games. The Cougars host LMU on Thursday, Feb. 1 and league-leading Gonzaga on Saturday, Feb. 3. Both games are slated to air live on BYUtv.