Women Tie For Second, Play Wyoming In First Round Action

After winning its two final conference games on the road, the Cougar women finish the season tied for second with New Mexico. Because the Lobos swept BYU during the regular season, the Cougars will be the third seed at this year's EAS Mountain West Conference Championships. BYU (19-8, 10-4) plays Wyoming (13-14, 5-9) on Wed. Mar. 6 at 2:30 p.m., PT at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Tip off: BYU (19-8, 10-4) vs Wyoming (13-14, 5-9), 2:30 p.m.(PT) Arena: Thomas & Mack Ctr.

Sports West To Produce Women's Games

SportsWest will produce all of the women's games during the MWC Championships from Las Vegas. Wednesday's BYU game vs Wyoming will air live on BYU-TV on the Dish Network 500 System, Direct TV and on some AT&T Cable Stations. Tom Kirkland and Kathy Aiken will call the action. Wednesday's game will air live in Utah on WB30.

EAS Mountain West Conference Championships - 2001-02

Schedule - All Games played at Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV

Game #1 - ALL GAME TIMES LOCAL TO SITE

Wed. Mar 6, 2002 - #2 UNM (21-6, 10-4) vs SDSU (10-17, 2-12) 12 p.m.

Game #2

Wed. Mar. 6, 2002 - #3 BYU (19-8, 10-4) vs Wyoming (13-14, 5-9) 2:30 p.m.

Game #3

Wed. Mar. 6, 2002 - #1 CSU (23-5, 12-2), vs Air Force (4-23, 0-14) 6 p.m.

Game #4

Wed. Mar 6, 2002 - #4 UNLV (21-7, 9-5) vs Utah (14-11, 8-6) 8:30 p.m.

Game #5

Fri. Mar. 8, 2002 - Winner of Games 1 & 2 - Semifinal - 12 p.m

Game #6

Fri. Mar. 8, 2002 - Winner of Games 3 & 4 - Semifinal - 2:30 p.m.

Game #7

Sat. Mar. 9, 2002 - Winner of Game 5 & 6 - Championship - 3:30 p.m.

BYU's Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 21 Jennifer Leitner 6-1 Jr 12.2 8.6

F 31 Lisa Osguthorpe 6-0 Sr 4.9 3.3

F 51 Danielle Cheesman 6-2 Fr 8.0 4.0

G 11 Erin Thorn 5-10 Jr 17.0 4.0

G 22 Stacy Jensen 5-6 Sr 10.0 2.9

Cougar Players Off The Bench

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F/G 12 Melanie Pearson 6-1 Sr 11.0 3.3

F 23 Chanell Rose 6-0 Jr 3.1 2.5

F 45 Lisa Hansen 6-5 Jr 2.8 2.5

G 25 Kali Taylor 5-11 Fr 1.3 0.3

F 20 Brittany Larson 6-0 Jr 1.8 1.0

G 05 Amy Lewis 5-6 Jr 0.7 0.6

Quickie BYU Stats

l Shooting from the field - .449 (700-1560)

l Shooting from the free-throw line - .745 (341-458)

l Shooting from the three-point arc - .409 (220-538)

l Averaged 72.6 points per game

Cougars in MWC Tournament - History

6 BYU's women's basketball team has made it into the championship game of the conference tournament the past two years.

6 In both appearances the Cougars lost, to Utah 47-61 in 2000 and to CSU 56-59 in 2001.

6 BYU came into the tourney as the number two seed in 2000, and was the number four see last year.

6 At least two Cougar players have been named to the All-Tournament each year of the championships. In 2000 it was senior Lori Cuff and freshman Erin Thorn. In 2002 it was junior Lisa Osguthorpe and sophomore Erin Thorn.

MWC Championship Results - BYU

2000 (Mar. 8-11) 2001 (Mar. 7-10)

BYU-78, SDSU-37 BYU-62, UNLV-54

BYU-77, CSU-69 BYU-57, Utah-54

Utah-61, BYU-47 CSU-59, BYU-56

BYU Records At Thomas And Mack Center

* Kari Gallup - tied record: 6 (att.10) most three-point field goals made in a game (BYU vs Utah), 1998

* Kari Gallup - tied record: 6 (att.10) most three-point field goals made in a game (BYU vs FSU), 1998

* Tomika Young - 7: Most steals in a game (BYU vs UNM), 1993

* BYU - BYU(M-5) defeated Utah (M-1), 1998: Biggest upset based on seeds

MWC Preseason Media Poll

Team (1st place votes) Points

1. Colorado State (9) 105

2. Utah (5) 96

3. BYU 81

4. UNLV 68

5. New Mexico 62

6. Wyoming 40

7. San Diego State 35

8. Air Force 14

MWC All- Conference Preseason Team

Linda Frohlich, Sr., F, UNLV

Lauren Beckman, Sr., F/C, Utah

Erin Thorn, Jr., G, BYU

Ashley Augspruger, Jr., F, CSU

Jordan Adams, Jr., C, New Mexico

Top Returning Player

Linda Frohlich, Sr., F, UNLV

Top Newcomer

Chassie Wiersma, Jr., G, Wyoming

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 were a new school record for treys in a game for both men's and women's teams. 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

BYU comes into this week's conference tournament winning nine of their last 11 games and are the third seed for the first time in the MWC with a team that returns four starters and eight letterwinners. The Cougar women's basketball team finished its 2002 MWC schedule on the road with two wins. BYU has won the last three straight conference games and they end the season tied with New Mexico at 10-4. Because the Lobos swept the Cougars during the season, BYU will go into the championships as the number three seed. All-American Erin Thorn continues to be the team's leading scorer with an average of 17.0 points a game. The team's leading rebounder is junior forward Jennifer Leitner who's averaging 8.6 boards a game. She's also averaging 12.2 points a game. Senior guard Stacy Jensen leads in the assist category tallying 122 to date for an average of 4.51 per game. Jensen is also a main contributor in scoring with an average of 10.0 points a game. Senior transfer Melanie Pearson continues to come off the bench to score in double digits, tallying 11.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Freshman Danielle Cheesman follows with 8.0 points and 4.0 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. Jennifer Leitner did not play in the SDSU game on Mar. 2 due to a soar right knee. She's schedule to be ready for the Wednesday game against Wyoming 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

INDIVIDUAL

4 Points - Erin Thorn, (29) vs Arkansas Pine-Bluff 12/14/01

4 Field Goals Made - Erin Thorn, (10) @ Weber State 12/01/01

4 3 PT Field Goals Made - Erin Thorn, (9) vs Arkansas PB 12/14/01

4 Free Throws Made - Melanie Pearson, (9) @ Utah, 1/26/02

4 Rebounds - Jennifer Leitner, (13) @ UCLA 11/27/01

4 Assists - Stacy Jensen, (11) vs SDSU 3/02/02

4 Steals - Lisa Osguthorpe (5) @ TCU on 12/22/01

4 Double Doubles - Jennifer Leitner (9) @ UCLA, USC, SMU, TCU, CSU, UNLV vs SDSU, OR, Utah

MWC Standings - Final (As of Mar. 2)

School Conference Games All Games

Colorado St. 12-2* 23-5

New Mexico 10-4# 21-6

BYU 10-4# 19-8

UNLV 9-5 21-7

Utah 8-6 14-11

Wyoming 5-9 13-14

San Diego St. 2-12 10-17

Air Force 0-14 4-23

* Regular Season Champs

# Tie for Second

Cougars In MWC Stats (Conf. 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)

21st - Field Goal Percentage (.429, 339-790)

23rd - Field Goal Percentage Defense (.372, 270-726)

21st - 3-Point Field Goal Percentage (.367, 101-275)

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

21st - Assists (219, 15.64 avg)

21st - 3-Point Field Goals Made (101, 7.21 avg)

21st - Assist/Turnover Ratio (219 Asst, 15.6 avg/206 Turn, 14.7 avg, Ratio - 1.06)

21st - Turnover Margin (206 Team, 14.7 avg/244 Opp, 17.4 avg, Margin +2.71

Top Ten Finishes - INDIVIDUALS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scouting Wyoming

The Cowgirls finished the conference season with a 5-9 record and are the number six seed in the tournament. BYU swept this year's series against Wyoming beating them 81-65 at the Marriott Center on Jan. 12 and in Laramie by a score of 75-58. The Cowgirls are led by Carrie Bacon who's averaging 13.1 points and 6.2 rebounds a game. Two other teammates join her in double digit scoring. Junior forward Darci Arsene contributes 11.6 points and is the team's top rebounder with 6.7 boards a game. Ann McColl, a junior center rounds out the top scoring threats for Wyoming with 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds. As at team, the Cowgirls are getting 66.9 points a game, allowing opponents 64.8 points. Wyoming shoots 40 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free throw line.

Series Record: 36-13 favoring BYU. The last time the two teams met in the first round of the conference tournament was during the WAC 1997 season. BYU beat Wyoming 70-60 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Wyoming Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 21 Darci Arsene 6-1 Jr 11.1 6.2

F 41 Carri Bacon 6-0 Fr 13.1 6.7

C 51 Ann McColl 6-2 Jr 10.6 5.5

G 12 Carly Stucky 5-10 So 9.8 3.6

G 25 Cherrith Wiersma 5-9 Jr 5.0 2.6

Coach Judkins Quotes

(On Cougars) We're excited about this year's tournament. Our team has done well there the last few years and we feel good to have had a 10-4 record in the league. In the last few games we've played as well as we've played all year. We're aiming at winning the tournament so we need to be playing at our best in each game.

(On Wyoming) We have a lot of respect for Wyoming. They've lost a lot of very close games and their record doesn't give the whole story because they're very talented and very athletic. They'll give us a lot of challenges and we don't match up well with them, so we'll have our hands full in this first game of the tournament. Cougs Travel Itinerary

BYU's women's basketball team travels to Las Vegas on Tuesday, Mar. 5, on Delta flight #1495 arriving there at 11:57 a.m. During the MWC tournament the team will stay at the Embassy Suites, 4315 Swenson Street, 702-795-2800, 702-795-1520 fax. Media Information

All interviews with BYU's head coach Jeff Judkins and team members must be scheduled in advance through Norma Collett, the women's basketball SID. She is traveling with the team and is staying at the Embassy Suites. You may contact her there or by mobile phone at 801-372-0989. Tuesday's practice is open to the public and the press and interviews may be done prior to or after. The rest of the team's practices during the tournament will be closed to the public and the media. Practice Schedule At Thomas & Mack Center

Tues. Mar. 5 - 4:00 - 4:55 p.m.

Wed. Mar. 6 - Shoot Around - 9:00 to 9:25 a.m.