Cougars Lasso Cowgirls For First MWC Win

PROVO -- An offensive outburst, coupled with with stellar defense in the second half, helped the BYU women's basketball team get its first Mountain West Conference victory, 78-57, over Wyoming, Thursday night at the Marriott Center.

The Cougars trailed 30-29 at halftime but outscored the Cowgirls 49-27 in the second half en route to a 21-point victory. Sophomore All-American Erin Thorn led the Cougars, scoring 13 of her game high 20 points in the second half. Guard Stacy Jensen controlled the tempo in the second half and finished the game with16 points and six assists, while sophomore Chanell Rose had a season- and a career-high 14 points to go along with five rebounds, including four on the offensive end. BYU shot 54.5 percent from the field in the second half, while holding Wyoming to just 23 percent.

"We played with more energy and heart tonight, and we were able to get some confidence back," head coach Trent Shippen said. "I was pleased with our focus."

Wyoming started the game on a 6-0 run, but BYU battled back to take a 15-11 lead with 12:35 remaining in the first half. The two teams seesawed back and forth the rest of the half, with neither team enjoying more than a four-point lead, but the Cowgirls headed to the locker room with a one-point lead.

The win improves the Cougars record to 9-7 (1-2) on the season, while Wyoming drops to 8-7 (0-2) on the year. BYU will next play Colorado State, Saturday at 7 p.m., in the Marriott Center.