In Sweet 16 It`s Tennessee Up Next For Cougars In March Madness

After clinching two impressive wins over Florida and Iowa State, the Cougar women's team is in the Sweet 16. From the Midwest Regional in Ames, Iowa it's the Tennessee Lady Vols up next as the BYU continues its run in this year's NCAA Women's Basketball Championships.

BYU (24-8) battles Tennessee (27-4) on Sat. Mar. 23, in a 6 p.m., Central Time tip off from Hilton Coliseum on the Iowa State University campus.

Tip off: BYU (24-8) vs Tennessee (27-4) 6:00 p.m.(CT) Arena: Hilton Coliseum

Cougar Hoops On National TV/Local KOVO Radio

Saturday's game between BYU and Tennessee can be seen live nationally on ESPN. Fans that don't get the cable sports channel can hear the action live on KOVO Radio 960 AM. Veteran sportscaster Chris Tunis will call the action from Ames, Iowa.

BYU's Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 21 Jennifer Leitner 6-1 Jr 12.5 8.9

F 31 Lisa Osguthorpe 6-0 Sr 5.1 3.4

F 51 Danielle Cheesman 6-2 Fr 8.7 4.3

G 11 Erin Thorn 5-10 Jr 17.6 4.0

G 22 Stacy Jensen 5-6 Sr 9.8 2.8

Cougar Players Off The Bench

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F/G 12 Melanie Pearson 6-1 Sr 10.8 3.6

F 23 Chanell Rose 6-0 Jr 3.0 2.4

F 45 Lisa Hansen 6-5 Jr 2.9 2.3

G 25 Kali Taylor 5-11 Fr 1.2 0.4

F 20 Brittany Larson 6-0 Jr 1.6 0.9

G 05 Amy Lewis 5-6 Jr 0.5 0.4

Quickie BYU Stats

l Shooting from the field - .452 (834-1846)

l Shooting from the free-throw line - .751 (413-550)

l Shooting from the three-point arc - .409 (259-633)

l Averaged 73.1 points per game

Cougars In NCAA - History

6 The Cougars earned the right to be in the 2002 NCAA Women's Basketball National Tournament after a decisive 61-46 victory over UNLV in the championship game o f the MWC last Saturday.

6 This is BYU's fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament.

6 The team's last appearance came in 1999-2000 when they lost in the first round to Oklahoma, 81-86.

6 In this year's field of 64, there are eight teams the Cougars played this season.

Year Record @ NCAA First Round

1999-00 21-8, 104 0-1 (lost to Oklahoma 81- 86 @ Purdue)

1992-93 24-5, 13-1 0-1 (lost to UCSB 79-88 in Santa Barbara)

1984-85 19-1, 11-1 0-1 (lost to Long Beach State 85-112 )

1983-84 18-8, 9-1 0-1 (lost to USC 72-97 in Los Angeles)

Total NCAA Appearances: Four, with a 0-4 record in First Round Action

Last Game Recap

The Cougars are just the fourth team seeded 11th or lower to advance to the Sweet 16 since the tournament was expanded to 64 teams in 1994. Stephen f. Austin did it in 1996 and Alabama-Birmingham in 2000. San Francisco did it as the no. 12 seed in 1996. BYU clinched its first ever advance into the Sweet 16 by defeating Iowa State 75-69 on their home court in the Second Round of the Midwest Regional. After being down by as many as 13 points, the Cougars defensive pressure stunned the Cyclones as BYU rallied for the win in the final minutes of the contest. Five players provided balanced scoring for the BYU team led by 17 points from junior forward Jennifer Leitner who also tallied nine rebounds. All-American Erin Thorn contributed 16 points followed by senior point guard Stacy Jensen's 13. Melanie Pearson came off the bench for her 12 points and five rebounds with freshman center Danielle Cheesman rounding out the double figure scoring with 10 points and five rebounds. The Cougars finished the game shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 90 percent from the free throw line , sinking 9 of 10 compared with Iowa State's 9 of 18 from the charity line.

Cougars Enjoy Record Performances At MWC Champs

6 Thorn- 8 treys in a game, vs Wyoming 3/6/02

6 Thorn- 13 3-pt field goals att. in a game, vs Wyoming 3/6/02

6 Thorn- 60 points, for 2002 tournament, in three games

6 BYU- 82 points, vs Wyoming 3/6/02

6 BYU- 12 3-pt field goals made, vs Wyoming 3/6/02

6 BYU- 23 assists, vs Wyoming 3/6/02

6 BYU- 15-point margin of victory, vs UNLV 3/9/02

Thorn Tournament MVP

All-American Erin Thorn was named the MWC Championship MVP after her stellar performances in the annual tournament.

Erin Thorn and Jennifer Leitner also named to All Tournament Team.

Four Cougs Garner All-Conference Team

Erin Thorn - First Team

Jennifer Leitner - Second Team

Stacy Jensen - Third Team

Melanie Pearson - Third Team

Leitner/Pearson/Thorn Pick Up MWC Player of the Week Honors

Jennifer Leitner's stellar performance against Utah on Sat. Feb. 23 that included her eighth double-double of the year with a team high 18 points and 12 rebounds garnered her the weekly honor for Feb. 25.

Melanie Pearson garnered the honor for the week of Jan. 28 after her 28-point performance in the conference game at Utah where the Cougars defeated the Utes 77-65.

Erin Thorn picked up the weekly MWC honor for the week of Dec. 17 after her strong performance in the University of Denver Pioneer Classic. Thorn picked up a season, career record 9-three pointers in the game against Arkansas Pine Bluff. The nine treys set a new school record for treys in a game for both men's and women's teams.

Cougars in Mountain West Conference Stats - Conference Games Only

Top Three Finishes - TEAM

2 1st - Scoring Offense (964 pts, 68.9)

2 1st - Scoring Defense (812, 58.0)

2 1st - Scoring Margin (+8.9)

2 1st - Field Goal Percentage (.429, 339-790)

2 1st - 3-Point Field Goal Percentage (.367, 101-275)

2 1st - Assists (219, 15.64 avg)

2 1st - 3-Point Field Goals Made (101, 7.21 avg)

2 1st - Assist/Turnover Ratio (219 Asst, 15.6 avg/206 Turn, 14.7 avg, Ratio - 1.06)

2 1st - Turnover Margin (206 Team, 14.7 avg/244 Opp, 17.4 avg, Margin +2.71)

2 2nd- Free Throw Percentage (.774, 185-239)

2 3rd - Field Goal Percentage Defense (.372, 270-726)

Top Ten Finishes - INDIVIDUAL

2 2nd - Erin Thorn - 3-PT Field Goals Made (38, 2.71)

2 4th - Erin Thorn - Assists (51, 3.64 avg)

2 4th - Erin Thorn - Scoring (216 pts., 15.4 avg)

2 7th - Erin Thorn - Asst/Turn Ratio (51, asst, 3.6 avg/44 turn, 3.1 avg, 1.16 ratio)

2 10th - Erin Thorn - Steals (22, 1.57 avg)

2 10th - Erin Thorn - 3-PT Field Goal Percentage (.352, 31-88)

2 7th - Melanie Pearson - 3-PT Field Goals Made (20, 1.43 avg)

2 10th - Melanie Pearson - Free Throw Percentage (.784, 40-51)

2 10th - Melanie Pearson - 3-PT Field Goal Percentage (.455, 20-44)

2 2nd - Jennifer Leitner - Defensive Rebounds (74, 6.17 avg)

2 2nd - Jennifer Leitner - Rebounding (107, 8.9 avg)

2 5th - Jennifer Leitner - Offensive Rebounds (33, 2.75 avg)

2 6th - Jennifer Leitner - Field Goal Percentage (.488, 59-121)

2 7th - Jennifer Leitner - Field Goal Percentage (.468, 51-109)

2 8th - Jennifer Leitner - Blocked Shots (11, .92 avg)

2 9th - Jennifer Leitner - Scoring (153, 12.8 avg)

2 1st - Stacy Jensen - Asst/Turn Ratio (56 asst, 4.0 avg/ 29 turn, 2.1 avg, 1.93 ratio)

2 1st - Stacy Jensen - Assists (56, 4.00 avg)

2 8th - Stacy Jensen - 3-PT Field Goals Made (18, 1.29)

2 9th - Stacy Jensen - 3-PT Field Goal Percentage (.364, 16-44)

2 3rd - Danielle Cheesman - Field Goal Percentage (.521, 50-96)

2 10th - Lisa Hansen - Blocked Shots (10, .71)

Thorn/Leitner/Pearson Honored At Pioneer Classic

In the only tournament the Cougar team participated this season, BYU's All-American Erin Thorn was named MVP at this year's University of Denver Pioneer Classic. Jennifer Leitner and Melanie Pearson were named to the All-Tournament Team. In that tournament, the Cougars beat Arkansas Pine-Bluff 90-50 and also defeated the University of Denver 81-67.

BYU Notes

This is BYU's fifth appearance in the women's basketball NCAA Championships. The Cougars are in the Sweet 16 for the first time in the program's history. This is the first year that BYU picked up a win in first round play. Coming into this year's NCAA Championship, the Cougars had a 0-4 winless record. The team is currently on a eight-game winning streak and has won 14 of its last 16. All-American Erin Thorn continues to be the team's leading scorer with an average of 17.6 points a game. The team's leading rebounder is junior forward Jennifer Leitner who's averaging 8.9 boards a game. She's also averaging 12.5 points a game. Senior guard Stacy Jensen leads in the assist category tallying 141 to date. Jensen is also a main contributor in scoring with an average of 9.8 points a game. Senior transfer Melanie Pearson continues to come off the bench to score in double digits, tallying 10.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Freshman center Danielle Cheesman is contributing 8.7 points and 4.3 boards a game.

Injury Update

Sophomore forward Heather Cheesman was hit in the head during practice on Jan. 24. She suffered a bruised spinal chord and after a stay in the hospital she's at home recuperating and is also doing rehabilitation to strengthen her back and neck. Chessman will not return to action this season.

2001-02 Season Highlights

TEAM

4 Points - 94 vs Washington State 11/24/01

4 Field Goals Made - 36 vs Washington State 11/24/01

4 3 PT Field Goals Made - 20 vs Arkansas Pine-Bluff 12/14/01

4 Free Throws Made - 22 vs SDSU on 1/31/02

4 Rebounds - 53 vs SDSU on 1/31/02

4 Assists - 32 vs Washington State 11/24/01

4 Steals - 14 @ Weber State 12/01/01

PLAYER SEASON HIGHS

Name Category Stat Game

Leitner Points 18 @ UNLV (2/28/02)

FG's Made 8 @ UNLV (2/28/02)

Rebounds 17 vs Florida (3/16/02)

Assists 5 @ TCU (12/22/01)

Steals 4 vs New Mexico (2/26/02)

Blocked Shots 3 @ Utah(1/26/02)

Name Category Stat Game

Osguthorpe Points 17 @ Boise State (11/16/01)

FG's Made 7 @ Boise State (11/16/01)

Rebounds 8 vs Oregon (12/12/01)

Assists 7 vs Wyoming (3/6/02)

Steals 5 vs Iowa State (3/18/02)

Blocked Shots 2 vs Washington State (11/24/01)

Name Category Stat Game

Cheesman, D. Points 16 vs New Mexico (2/16/02)

FG's Made 8 @ Southern Methodist (12/8/01)

Rebounds 12 vs New Mexico (2/16/02)

Assists 3 @ University of Texas (11/20/01)

Steals 2 vs New Mexico (3/8/02)

Blocked Shots 2 vs UNLV (3/9/02)

Name Category Stat Game

Thorn Points 29 vs Arkansas Pine Bluff (12/14/01)

FG'sMade 10 vs Wyoming (3/6/02)

Rebounds 8 @ Boise State (11/16/01)

Assists 9 vs Colorado State University (1/10/02)

Steals 5 vs Washington State (11/24/01)

Blocked Shots 2 @ Wyoming (2/7/02)

Name Category Stat Game

Jensen Points 20 vs Colorado State University (1/10/02)

FG's Made 6 vs Colorado State University (1/10/02)

Rebounds 6 @ TCU (12/22/01)

Assists 11 @ San Diego State (3/2/02)

Steals 3 @ UNLV (2/28/02)

Name Category Stat Game

Pearson Points 28 @ Utah (1/26/02)

FG's Made 8 @ San Diego (3/2/02)

Rebounds 9 @ New Mexico (1/17/02)

Assists 4 vs Washington State (11/24/01)

Steals 2 @ Wyoming (2/7/02)

Blocked Shots 1 @ San Diego State (3/2/02)

Name Category Stat Game

Hansen Points 10 @ Weber State (12/1/01)

FG's Made 5 @ Weber State (12/1/01)

Rebounds 6 @ Weber State (12/1/01)

Assists 1 vs New Mexico (2/16/02)

Steals 2 vs Air Force (2/14/02)

Blocked Shots 4 @ San Diego State (3/2/02)

Name Category Stat Game

Rose Points 9 vs Wyoming (1/12/02)

FG's Made 4 vs Wyoming (1/12/02)

Rebounds 6 @ San Diego State (3/2/02)

Assists 4 vs Southern Utah (12/29/01)

Steals 3 @ Air Force (1/19/02)

Blocked Shots 2 @ Air Force (1/19/02)

Name Category Stat Game

Larson Points 8 vs Washington State (11/24/01)

FG's Made 3 vs Washington State (11/24/01)

Rebounds 4 vs San Diego State (1/31/02)

Assists 2 vs Wyoming (1/12/02)

Steals 1 vs Air Force (2/14/02)

Name Category Stat Game

Taylor Points 11 vs Washington State (11/24/01)

FG's Made 3 vs Washington State (11/24/01)

Rebounds 2 vs Arkansas Pine Bluff (12/14/01)

Assists 6 vs Arkansas Pine Bluff (12/14/01)

Steals 1 vs Arkansas (1/2/02)

Name Category Stat Game

Lewis Points 3 @ University of Denver (12/15/01)

FG's Made 3 @ Weber State (12/1/01)

Rebounds 4 vs Arkansas Pine Bluff (12/14/01)

Assists 2 vs Arkansas Pine Bluff (12/14/01)

Scouting Tennessee

The No. 6 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols (27-4) advanced into the Sweet 16 after wins over Georgia State and Notre Dame. Tennessee was one of 33 teams receiving an at-large selection into this year's championship and are part of the powerful SEC. They are making their 21st appearance where they have compiled a 71-14 record. Junior guard Kara Lawson is the Lady Vols top scorer with an average of 15.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. Two teammates join her in double digit scoring with 13.0 from senior center Michelle Snow who's tallying 13.0 points and leads the team in rebounds with an average of 6.6 boards a game. Junior forward Gwen Jackson contributes 10.8 points and 6.4 rebounds a game. The Lady Vols are shooting 46 percent from the field and 71 points from the free throw line. They also shoot 35 percent from three point land and average 43.6 rebounds a game.

Series Record: 0-0

Tennessee Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 43 Shyra Ely 6-2 Fr 9.2 5.5

F 13 Gwen Jackson 6-2 Jr 10.8 6.4

C 00 Michelle Snow 6-5 Sr 13.0 6.6

G 20 Kara Lawson 5-9 Jr 15.9 4.9

G 10 April McDivitt 5-7 Jr 5.2 1.5

Scouting Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt is the number one seed in this year's Midwest Regional and were an automatic qualifier into the championships by wining the SEC Championship. The Commodores are making their 15th appearance after compiling a 22-14 record in the post season tournament. Vanderbilt has tallied a 29-6 record after two decisive victories in the tournament, a 63-38 win over Oakland and a similar 61-35 victory over Arizona State to advance into the Sweet 16. Two players on the Vanderbilt roster are scoring in double figures with junior center Chantelle Anderson at the top of the list with an average of 20.2 points a game and 6.5 rebounds. Senior forward Zuzi Klimesova is tallying 15.5 points and leads the team in rebounds with 7.3 boards a game. The Commodores shoot 52 percent from the field, 76 percent from the free throw line and 37 percent from behind the arc. Vanderbilt also averages 34.3 rebounds a game and are scoring 72. 9 points a game while holding opponents to just 56.9 points.

Series Record: This will be the first meeting between the two schools

Vanderbilt Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 42 Jenni Benningfield 6-3 So 5.9 4.4

F 13 Zuzi Klimesova 6-2 Sr 15.5 7.3

C 21 Chantelle Anderson 6-6 Jr 20.2 6.5

G/F 33 Jillian Danker 6-1 Sr 9.0 3.0

G 22 Ashley McElhiney 5-6 Jr 8.6 2.3

Scouting North Carolina

The Tar Heels were one of the 33 teams to receive an at-large invitation to this year's championships. They advanced to the Sweet 16 with wins over Harvard and No. 18 Minnesota. North Carolina(26-8) is one of four teams from the ACC in this year's tournament. The Tar Heels are making their 14th appearance with a 21-12 overall record in the 64-member championship. Forward Coretta Brown is the team's leading scorer with an average of 17.0 points and 5.1 rebounds a game. Guard Nikki Teasley follows with her contribution of 15.6 points and 4.3 rebounds. Center Candace Sutton leads the team in the rebound category with 5.2 boards a game and she tallies 12.0 points a game. In all games, the Tar Heels are shooting 42 percent from the field, 68 percent from the free throw line and 34 percent from the three-point line. The team also averages 45.0 rebounds a game and is scoring 80.5 points a game.

Series Record: First meeting

North Carolina Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 10 Jennifer Thomas 6-1 Jr 5.6 3.7

F 14 Correta Brown 5-8 Jr 17.0 5.1

C 15 Candace Sutton 6-6 So 12.0 5.2

G 25 Leah Metcalf 5-7 Fr 8.9 2.9

G 42 Nikki Teasley 6-0 Sr 15.6 4.3

Head Coach Jeff Judkins

Jeff Judkins, an assistant during the 2000-01 season is this year's head coach for the Cougar women. Judkins, a longtime University of Utah coach and player takes over the BYU program with a proven record of success dating back to his high school days at Highland HS in Salt Lake City.

An all-state selection in basketball, football and baseball, Judkins went on to play for Utah from 1974-78. While playing for the Utes, he helped the team win one conference championship and two berths in the NCAA Tournament. He was a second-team academic All-American and three-time first-team District VII academic selection. Judkins earned three first-team All-WAC honors and was a member of the 1977 United States World Games team that captured the gold medal.

He played five years in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, Portland Trailblazers, Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz. He was a second-round pick by the Celtics in 1978, the same year the Celtics selected Larry Bird with the sixth pick overall.

After his NBA career, he returned to the U of U in 1989, and remained with the men's program for 10 years. Judkins, a Salt Lake City native, graduated from Utah in 1978 with a degree in health and physical education. He is a member of the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and the Crimson Club Hall of Fame.

He and his wife Mary Kay, are the parents of five children: Jessica (20), Jordan (19), Jenna (16), Jaime (13), Jaxson (10).

BYU Travel Plans

The team will be staying at the Hotel at Gateway Center , Hwy. 30 & Elwood Drive, 515-268-2205, 515-268-2224 fax. The Cougars depart for Iowa on a charter plane Thurs., Mar. 21 at 6:30 p.m. from the Salt Lake International Airport.

Press Conferences

BYU player interviews - Fri., Mar. 22 - 10:20 - 10:35 a.m., at Hilton Coliseum

BYU coach interviews - Fri., Mar. 22 - 10:40 - 10:55 a.m., at Hilton Coliseum

BYU Practice

Fri, Mar. 22 - 11:05 a.m. - 12:05 p.m., practice (open to media and public) at Hilton Coliseum

Sat. Mar. 23 - 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Shoot-Around (closed to media and public) at Hilton Coliseum

2001-02 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - NUMERICAL ROSTER

No. Name Ht. Cl. Pos. Exp. Hometown/School

11 Erin Thorn 5-10 Jr. G 2V Orem, UT/Mountain View H.S.

12 Melanie Pearson 6-1 Sr. G 3V Irvine, CA/Woodbridge HS/UCLA

20 Brittany Larson 6-0 Jr. F 2V Chicago, IL/New Trier HS

21 Jennifer Leitner 6-1 Jr. F 2V Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley HS

22 Stacy Jensen 5-6 Sr. G 3V West Jordan, UT/West Jordan HS

23 Chanell Rose 6-0 Jr. F 2V Orem, UT/UVSC

25 Kali Taylor 5-11 Fr. G HS Lyman, UT/Wayne HS

31 Lisa Osguthorpe 6-0 Sr. F 3V Orem, UT/Mountain View HS

45 Lisa Hansen 6-5 Jr. C 2V/RS Bakersfield, CA/Centennial HS/UCSB

50 Heather Cheesman 6-1 So. F 1V Orem, UT/Mountain View HS

51 Danielle Cheesman 6-2 Fr. F HS Orem, UT/Mountain View HS

HEAD COACH: Jeff Judkins (1st Year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Alli Bills, Trent Shippen

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Jonas Chatterton

ATHLETIC TRAINER: Carolyn Billings

2001-02 Walk-On Players:

05 Amy Lewis 5-6 Jr. G Jefferson City, MT/Jefferson City HS

30 Melissa Brown 5-8 So G University Place, WA/Curtis HS

32 Aspen Casper 6-0 Sr F Central Point, OR/South Medford HS