BYU Set To Open Hoops Season Hosting Oklahoma City University

BYU Set To Open Hoops Season Hosting Oklahoma City University

After two solid victories in exhibition games, head coach Trent Shippen opens his third season with Saturday's (Nov. 20) game against Oklahoma City University. Tip off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., at the Marriott Center.

Cougars Picked To Finish 4th In First MWC Season

Coaches and Media picked BYU to finish in fourth place in this first season under the new Mountain West Conference.

BYU Probable Starters ('98-99 Stats)

33 Jill Adams - 6-3 F, Sr (10.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg)

35 Cady Williams - 5-11 F, Sr (12.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

00 April Hayes - 6-3 C, Jr (4.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg)

22 Stacy Jensen - 5-6 G, So (4.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg)

11 Erin Thorn - 5-10 G, Fr (Orem, UT/Mountain View HS)

BYU Players Off The Bench ('98-99 Stats)

32 Lori Cuff - 6-1 F, Sr (7.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

05 Alisha Griffeth - 6-0 F, Sr (6.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg)

04 Renae Hansen - 5-11 G, Sr (7.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

31 Lisa Osguthorpe - 6-0 F, So (2.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg)

44 Caroline Beus - 6-1 C, Jr (Kuna, ID/Ricks College)

15 Jorja Cox - 5-11 G, Jr (RS, Othello, WA/Columbia Basin CC)

21 Jennifer Leitner - 6-1 F, Fr (RS/Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley HS)

'98-99 Cougar Highlights

BYU had a perfect 7-0 record at home in WAC games, and went 9-1 in all games.

The Cougars averaged 68.0 points per game, shot .443 from the field and .722 at the free throw line.

BYU's top two leading scorers return for their final season wearing the Cougar Blue. Cady Williams led the team in scoring with 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. Teammate Jill Adams followed close behind averaging 10.5 points and led in rebounds with 6.0.

Incoming freshman Erin Thorn from Orem, Utah has been voted the pre-season Freshman Of The Year by the Women's Basketball Writers Association.

BYU vs Oklahoma City University Notes

Oklahoma City University is the defending NAIA National Champions who finished the 1998-99 year with a 28-7, 9-5 record. The Stars are members of the Sooner Athletic Conference who return all five starters. This year OCU is 3-0 with decisive wins. Mary Ogunsola, a senior forward leads her team in scoring averaging 17.0 points and 6.7 rebounds. Newcomer Jhudi Gonzalez, a 5-8 sophomore guard follows with 15.7 points a game and 2.0 rebounds. After three games the Stars are averaging 82 points compared with 44.7 for opponents.

OCU Probable Starters

l 35 Natalie King - 6-0 F, Jr (11.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg)

l 42 Mary Ogunsola - 6-4 F, Sr (17.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg)

l 05 Patty Cantella - 5-6 G, Sr (10.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

l 13 Jhudy Gonzalez - 5-9 G, So (15.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

l 14 Leslie Norrid - 5-7 G, Jr (9.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg)

Series Against Oklahoma City University

The series: 0-0, this will be the first meeting between these two teams.

Coach Trent Shippen Quotes

(On the Cougars) I thought we had two pretty good exhibition games and we made some good adjustments. We probably played better in our second exhibition game. We're still making some mistakes, but I'm really pleased at our team support and work ethic. Right now we're taking better care of the ball by than at this time last year. We knew we had to play well to be able to beat the two teams.

(On Oklahoma City ) They didn't lose a single starter from their championship team so it's basically their same team. They're going to give us all we want especially with their good size. Because of their size they are a good rebounding team and create a lot of turnovers.

BYU Media Information

At home, the Cougars practice M-W-F from 1 to 3:30 p.m., and from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., on T-TH. Player and/or coach Shippen interviews may be done in advance by contacting 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. All practices are held in the Marriott Center.

Up Next For The Cougars

BYU makes its first road trip of the year taking on Pac-10 foe Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 23 in Seattle. The Cougars then return to host Gonzaga on Friday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Center.