BYU Tied For Third Place In MWC Standings, Takes Tough Road Trip And Plays Air Force and UNM.

After a disappointing four-point loss to Utah last Friday night in the Marriott Center, BYU's women's basketball team is gearing up for one of its toughest conference road swings this week. The Cougars meet Air Force February 3 and New Mexico on Feb. 5.

Last Week Wrap Up

It was an instate battle as usual between the Cougars and Utes on Friday, Jan. 28, with the homestanding BYU team leading most of the first half, taking a 10 point 33-22 half time lead. The visiting Utes came back in the second half, kept it close and then with some late free throws and a 3-pointer, Utah captured the 59-55 victory. The Cougars are now in third place tied with New Mexico in the MWC standings.

This Week's Games Live On Web Cast

It will be a first for BYU's women's basketball team as their two upcoming road games against Air Force and New Mexico can be heard via the internet. Cougar fans can listen to the game action by clicking http://www.kbyu.org/sports/wball/

Player Injury Report

Senior forward Cady Williams will be out about three weeks after breaking her left hand in three places in practice last week. Williams is the Cougars third leading scorer averaging 11.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

BYU Probable Starters

l 32 Lori Cuff - 6-1 F, Sr (6.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

l 31 Lisa Osguthorpe - 6-0 F, So (4.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

l 33 Jill Adams - 6-3 C, Jr (14.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg)

l 11 Erin Thorn - 5-10 G, Fr (12.7 ppg, 3.7rpg)

l 22 Stacy Jensen - 5-6 G, So (5.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

BYU Players Off The Bench

l 05 Alisha Griffeth - 6-0 F, Sr (3.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg)

l 04 Renae Hansen - 5-11 G, Sr (1.9 ppg, .8 rpg)

l 00 April Hayes - 6-3 C, Jr (2.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

l 44 Caroline Beus - 6-1 C, Jr (2.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg)

l 21 Jennifer Leitner - 6-1 F, Fr (6.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Cougar Quickie Stats - After 18 games

l Shooting from the field - .455 (446-980)

l Shooting from the free-throw line - .722(197-273)

l Shooting from the three-point arc - .367(130-354)

l Averaging 67.7 points per game

l After averaging 21 turnovers in the first 11 games of the season, the Cougars are averaging 16.3 in the last five games played.

l The Cougars have a 2-1 record when playing on Thursday and a 5-1 record when BYU plays on Saturday

l BYU has gone on a four-game winning streak and a six-game winning streak

so far this season

BYU Player Quick Facts - After 18 games

l Jill Adams has scored in double figures in 13 of 18 games

l Cady Williams has scored in double figures in 12 of 17games

l Erin Thorn has scored in double figures in 13 games to date

l Jill Adams has rebounded in double figures in four games

l Jill Adams has had three games in which she's had double-doubles (vs Washington, Gonzaga and Montana)

Mountain West Conference Stats 4

BYU Team (5 Conference Games Only)

4 4th in Scoring Offense - average 66.2 ppg (331 points)

4 3rd in Scoring Defense - average 59.8 ppg (299 points)

4 3rd in Scoring Margin - 66.2 points, + 6.4 margin

4 3rd in field goal percentage - .441 (124-281)

4 3rd in field goal percentage defense - .423 (113-267)

4 2nd in 3-point field goal percentage - .362 (34-94)

4 2nd in3-point field goal percentage defense - .264 (23-87)

4 4th in 3-point field goals made - average 6.8 (34)

4 4th in rebounding defense - average 34.4 (172)

4 3rd in blocked shots - average 2.80 (14)

4 1st in steals - average 12.20 (61)

4 2nd in assists - average 17.40 (87)

4 4th in offensive rebounds - average 12.60 (63)

BYU Players (5 Conference Games Only)

4 Erin Thorn - 10th in scoring - average 12.8 (21 fg, 15-3 fg, 7 ft, 64 pts)

4 Erin Thorn - 1st in 3-point field goals made - average 3.00 (15)

4 Lori Cuff - 7th in field goal percentage - .545 (18-33)

4 Jill Adams - 3rd in scoring - average 14.6 (29 fg, 5-3fg, 10 ft, 73 pts)

4 Jill Adams - 9th in field goal percentage - .527 (29-55)

4 Jill Adams - 4th in rebounding - average 6.6 (14 off, 19 def)

4 Jill Adams - 7th in assists - average 3.60 (18)

4 Jill Adams - 6th in free throw percentage - .769 (10-13)

4 Jill Adams - 5th in steals - average 2.20 (11)

4 Jill Adams - 3rd in blocked shots - average 1.40 (7)

4 Jill Adams - 2nd in offensive rebounds - average 2.80 (14)

4 Stacy Jensen -1st in asst/turn ratio - (asst 25, 5.0/turn 9, 1.8, ratio 2.78)

4 Stacy Jensen - 2nd in assists - average 5.00 (25)

4 Stacy Jensen - 3rd in steals - average 2.60 (13)

4 Stacy Jensen - 7th in 3-point field goal percentage - average .500 (7-14)

Scouting Air Force

The Air Force Academy is in a three-way tie with Wyoming and San Diego State for the sixth spot (1-4) in the MWC standings. In their two conference matchups last week, the Falcons fell to CSU 91-73 and dropped a 14-point decision to Wyoming 86-72. Both losses were on the road. Three Air Force players are scoring in double figures with Megan Thiedeman leading the way averaging 15.1 points and 4.3 rebounds. Mollie Peters picks up 14.8 points and grabs 5.0 rebounds. Rozalyn Ross scores 10.0 points and leads the team in rebounds with 6.2 per game. The Falcons are averaging 64.4 points a game while opponents are scoring 76.0 points. From the field AF is shooting 36 percent and 65 percent from the free-throw line.

Air Force Probable Starters

l 33 Lindsay Payne - 5-11 G/F, Jr (1.6 ppg, .8 rpg)

l 34 Samantha Clifton - 5-11 F, So (3.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg)

l 35 Mollie Peters - 6-0 F, Sr (14.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

l 11 Morgan Bennett - 5-9 G, Fr (7.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

l 25 Rozalyn Russ - 5-8 G, So (10.0 ppg, 6.2rpg)

Series Against Air Force

Record: 2-0 in favor of the Cougars. In the last two meetings during the 1997-98 WAC season, BYU won both contests., a 10-360 victory in Provo on 1/24/98 and a 78-66 win in Colorado Springs on 2/19/98.

Scouting New Mexico

The Lobos (12-6, 3-2) are tied with the Cougars for third place in this week's MWC standings. Over the weekend, UNM defeated Wyoming 76-61 in Laramie and then lost in Fort Collins 79-51 to the Rams. Junior forward Miranda Sanchez leads the Lobos scoring machine. Sanchez averages 11.4 points and 5.7 rpg. Jordan Adams follows with 9.9 ppg and 4.4 rpg. UNM is shooting .436 from the field and .631 at the free throw line. The Lobos tally 65.8 points per game to opponents 57.4 points.

New Mexico Probable Starters

l 21 Miranda Sanchez - 6-1 F, Jr (11.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

l 40 Jordan Adams - 6-3 C, Fr (9.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

l 12 Molly McKinnon - 5-8 G, So (8.3 ppg, 4.1rpg)

l 44 Nikki Heckroth - 5-8 G , Jr (4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

l 42 Jennifer Williams - 6-0 F, Jr (8.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

Series Against New Mexico

Series Record: 30-10 in favor of the Cougars. During the 1998-99 final WAC season the teams met twice with each team winning on their home courts. At the Marriott Center the win was 73-55 on 2/30/99 and at the Pit it was 60-68 on 2/25/99.

Travel Itinerary For The Cougars

BYU leads for Colorado Springs on Wed., Feb. 2 at 10:05 a.m., arriving at 11:23 a.m. The team will stay at the Wyndham Hotel on 5580 Tech Center Drive, 719-260-1800, 719-260-1492 fax. On Friday Feb. 4 the Cougars fly to Albuquerque getting in at 11:50 a.m. Lodging in Albuquerque is at the Albuquerque Marriott on 2101 Louisiana Blvd., 505-881-6800, 505-888-2982 fax. The BYU squad returns to Provo on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m.

On The Road BYU Practice Schedule

Wednesday, Feb. 2: 5-7 p.m., @ Clune Arena

Thursday, Feb. 3: 12-1 p.m., shoot around @ Clune Arena

Friday, Feb. 4: 3:30-5:30 p.m., @ The Pit

Saturday, Feb. 5: 12-1p.m., shoot around @ The Pit

Coach Trent Shippen Quotes

(On the Cougars) We've had a couple of decent practices and we need to go in and do our best when playing in these two very important conference games. We can't look back at our previous losses we just have to move forward.

(On Air Force) - Air Force is the best 3-point shooting team in the conference, they're averaging eight three's a game. If they have a hot night, they're going to be tough to beat. They have three girls that are scoring in double figures. We'll need to try and contain them. Our rebounding and ability to take care of the ball will be critical for us.

(On New Mexico) They have the same record in the league as ours. This game is very important to keep us in the conference hunt. They have several good freshmen players and are a very balanced team that has a very good inside game, and are very similar to both Utah and CSU. We again have to take care of the ball, and handle the crowd at the Pit. We'll need to try and keep the crowd out of it.

Up Next For The Cougars

The Cougars return to Provo to host conference foes UNLV and SDSU on Feb. 10 and 12.

BYU Media Information/Home Practice Schedule

At home, the Cougars practice at the Marriott Center. Practice schedule is Mon-Fri from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Player and/or coach Shippen interviews may be done in advance by contacting the women's basketball SID Norma Collett at 801-378-4908 or via e-mail at norma_collett@byu.edu There are no player interviews 24 hours prior to games.