BYU Women Sneak By Wyoming With A One-Point Win

With 11 seconds left in the game, freshman Erin Thorn sunk one of two free throws to give the Cougars the70-69 victory in what was a very close game, Saturday in MWC women's basketball action.

The win improves BYU's record to 17-7, 7-4 on the year while Wyoming falls to 8-15, 2-8.

"This was such a big conference win for us with both teams playing extremely good basketball," said BYU head coach Trent Shippen. "They (Wyoming) really wanted a win after four straight losses and they battled to the very end."

Looking at the stats it's evident how close of a game it really was. There was just a two rebound difference with the Cowgirls edging out the Cougars 34 to 32. BYU had 10 turnovers, their best effort of the year, to Wyoming's 14. The Cougars shot 44 percent from the field while Wyoming shot 46 percent. BYU was 8-21 from the three-point arc with the Cowgirls staying close with their 7-14.

BYU was down by two 30-32 at half time after being behind by as much as nine points early in the game. The second half was a tight game where there were at least four ties and neither team had more than a six point advantage. Down the stretch it was Thorn who made the huge baskets for the Cougar win which included a three-pointer with a minute left in the game. She ended up with 20 points, five from the arc.

Stacy Jensen and Jennifer Lietner also scored in double digits for BYU with 12 and 10 points respectively. Cady Williams was back in the starting lineup for the Cougars, playing 33 minutes and tallying eight points, three assists and four rebounds.

For Wyoming two players scored in double figures. Carrie Bacon had 20 and Jessica Gibbs had 14 and led both teams on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds.

BYU continues MWC action next Saturday (Feb. 26) with a game in Salt Lake City against first -place Utah. The game will be played at the Huntsman Center, with a 3 p.m., tip off.