Final Road Game on tap this week

This week the Cougar women finish their long stretch of road games, their third straight weekend on the road with a contest against the University of Alabama at this year's Triple Crown Classic. The sporting event is being hosted by the University of New Mexico, on Sat. Dec. 21.

Tip off: BYU (6-2) vs University of Alabama (6-1) 12:00 p.m. Arena: The Pit

Live national broadcast

The BYU vs Alabama hoops game from Albuquerque, New Mexico will be carried live by Fox Sports (Rocky Mountain, Arizona, Midwest) plus several regional affiliates throughout the U.S. reaching a total of 29 states.

BYU's Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 21 Jennifer Leitner 6-1 Sr 15.8 9.7

F 45 Lisa Hansen 6-5 Sr 5.5 4.1

F 51 Danielle Cheesman 6-2 So 11.3 5.9

G 11 Erin Thorn 5-10 Sr 18.8 4.3

G 14 Julie Sullivan 5-8 So 6.5 3.1

Cougar Players Off The Bench

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

G 25 Kali Taylor 5-11 So 4.0 2.4

F 20 Brittany Larson 6-0 Sr 1.5 2.4

G/F 01 Nancy Seljaas 6-0 Fr 1.8 0.8

F 33 Ambrosia Anderson 6-2 Fr 2.9 2.0

G 04 Kestlee Nelson 5-8 Jr 2.0 1.8

G 15 Jen Overdiek 5-10 Fr 1.9 2.0

Player Updates

#40 Ashleigh Chamberlain is academically eligible to play in January

#32 Kristen Kozlowski, a transfer from Boise State will be eligible to play for BYU for the Dec. 30 game vs. Montana State,

Cougar Review

BYU returns three starters from last season's 24-9, 10-4 team who made history by winning their first-ever NCAA Tournament game, going on to the "Sweet Sixteen" in the Midwest Regional.

All-American and MWC MVP Erin Thorn leads the Cougar offense with an average of 17.3 points and 4.0 rebounds a game. Senior teammate Jennifer Leitner is the second leading scorer on the team as well as the leading rebounder. Leitner averaged 11.9 points and 8.7 boards a game. Sophomore forward Danielle Cheesman who got a starting position midway through last season also returns to the team. She averaged 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

This season's roster will see the return of MWC's 1999-2000 Newcomer of the Year Julie Whetten Sullivan who redshirted last year. Joining her at the guard position will be Maria Chiara from Hamilton, New Zealand who played two season at Casper Junior College before serving an 18-month LDS mission to Florida.

Senior guard Amy Lewis will finish her college career joined by her twin sister Angie Gatten who redshirted last year. The sister duo walked on the Cougar roster last year. Lewis, who played in 18 games, gained valuable experience and is very familiar with the Cougar offense.

Senior transfer Lisa Hansen who came off the bench in every game is also back for one more season with the Cougars. Her averages included 2.5 points and 2.3 rebounds.

On this season's roster there's three more letterwinners that return with a lot of playing experience. Hansen, and senior Brittany Larson along with Kali Taylor a sophomore guard from Lyman, Utah who averaged over five minutes of playing time in 28 games her freshman season will be critical to the success of the Cougar team.

Utah high school standouts Jen Overdiek, Nancy Seljaas and Ambrosia Anderson will also be part of the roster this year. The two high school graduates will be joined by Kanab, Utah native Ashleigh Chamberlain who joins the team after two seasons at Utah Valley State College. Also from UVSC is junior guard Kestlee Nelson. Kristen Crockett Kozlowski joins the Cougar program via Boise State where she played for one year.

2002-03 Cougar Stats

u Shooting from the field: (.435, 191-439)

u Shooting from the free-throw line: (.767, 112-146)

u Shooting from three-point line: (.377, 49-130)

u Average points per game: 67.9

A look at this week's opponent

University of Alabama

The Crimson Tide have compiled a 6-1 record with their lone loss coming at the hands of East Carolina University, a 72-81 decision. The University of Alabama is led in scoring by Jamilah Johns, a 6-4 senior center. She tallies 13.1 points and a team high 8.1 rebounds a game. Beth Vice, a senior guard is also contributing with double digit scoring, averaging 12.6 points and 3.0 boards a game. Manisha Redus tops the list in the assist category with 42 to date. As a team, the Crimson Tide is shooting 42 percent form the field, 75 percent from the free throw line and 38 percent from behind the arc. They are averaging 69.1 points a game and only allowing opponents 59.4 points a game. On neutral courts, Alabama has a 2-0 record so far this season.

University of Alabama Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 11 Shun Hunter 5-11 Sr 7.6 3.7

C 42 Jamilah Johns 6-4 Sr 13.1 8.1

G 15 Manisha Redus 5-7 Jr 6.6 2.7

G 24 Monique Bivins 5-9 So 8.4 2.7

G 20 Beth Vice 5-11 Sr 12.6 3.0

Last meeting

This will be the first meeting between the two schools.

Series record

Record: 0-0

Last Games Recap

The Cougars went 1-1 on their second road trip of the month. The team dropped its second straight game, a 58-82 decision to George Washington University, and then bounced back with a 68-57 win over North Carolina State in Raleigh. In the GW contest, BYU shot poorly, just 36 percent, did not have a very good defensive effort and was outrebounded 40 to 31 by the Colonials. The team was without its leading rebounder Jennifer Leitner, who did not make the road trip due to an inner ear infection. All-American Erin Thorn led the Cougar effort with 22 points, five of which were from behind the arc. Danielle Cheesman picked up her second double-double of her career with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ambrosia Anderson got her first start in a college game against GW.

In the game vs North Carolina State Thorn led all scores with 21 points, again tallied five three pointers and grabbed eight defensive boards. Danielle Cheesman had a career high 20 points in the contest as well. The Cougars improved their shooting to 46 percent from the field and went 14-18 from the free throw line. BYU also outrebounded the Wolfpack 45 to 34.

In the Polls

In this week's AP Top 25 the team is ranked 24th, dropping two spots from 22nd. In the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches Poll the team stayed at no. 23, and in the Womenscollegehoops.com Top 50, the team dropped to 27 from 19.

Thorn watch

Erin Thorn - 5-10 Senior Guard, Orem, Utah/Mountain View HS

u Senior Erin Thorn was picked as a 2002-03 Pre-Season College All-America Second Team honoree.

u Thorn was also named to the "Players to Watch" list for the 2003 Senior CLASS Award.

Media Picks Cougars MWC Champs

During this year's MWC Basketball Media Day, the media picked BYU to win this year's regular season title capturing eight of the 15 first-place votes.

Senior guard and All-American Erin Thorn earned Top Returning Player honors. She was joined on the squad by five additional seniors, including teammate Jennifer Leitner. Colorado State's Ashley Augspurger, New Mexico's Jordan Adams, UNLV's Constance Jinks and Wyoming's Carrie Bacon.

2002-03 Mountain West Conference Preseason Media Poll

Rk. Team (1st-place votes) Pts

1. BYU (8) 110

2. Colorado State (7) 103

3. New Mexico (1) 91

4. Utah 70

5. UNLV 69

6. Wyoming 49

7. San Diego State 31

8. Air Force 17

2002-03 MWC Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team

Jennifer Leitner, Sr., F BYU

Erin Thorn, Sr., G BYU

Ashley Augspurger, Sr., F Colorado State

Jordan Adams, Sr., C New Mexico

Constance Jinks, Sr., G UNLV

Carrie Bacon, Sr., F Wyoming

2002-03 MWC Women's Basketball Preseason Top Returning Player

Erin Thorn, Sr., G BYU

COUGARS IN THE MWC

TEAM

Category Place Avg/G

Scoring Offense 5th 67.9

Scoring Defense 6th 61.2

Scoring Margin 6th 67.9 off/61.2 deff, +6.6

Free Throw % 2nd 112-146, .767

Field Goal % 4th 191-439, .435

3-Pt FG % 4th 49-130, .377

Rebounding Offense 2nd 39.8

Rebounding Defense 5th 35.4

Blocked Shots 3rd 4.00

Assists 4th 14.62

Steals 7th 7.25

INDIVIDUAL

Category Place Avg/G

Scoring: Erin Thorn 2nd 18.8

Scoring: Jennifer Leitner 7th 15.8

Scoring: Danielle Cheesman 14th 11.2

Assists: Erin Thorn 3rd 4.88

Free Throw%: Erin Thorn 2nd .929 (16-18)

Free Throw%: Jennife Leitner 8th .800 (20-25)

Steals: Erin Thorn 5th 2.12

3-PT FG%: Erin Thorn 4th .492 (30-61)

3-PT FG Made: Erin Thorn 1st 3.75 (30)

Blocked Shots: Lisa Hansen 4th 1.50 (9)

The Judkins file

Jeff Judkins, begins his second season at the helm of the Cougar women's program. Judkins, a longtime University of Utah coach and player has a proven record of success dating back to his high school days at Highland HS in Salt Lake City.

An all-state selection in basketball, football and baseball, Judkins went on to play for Utah from 1974-78. While playing for the Utes, he helped the team win one conference championship and two berths in the NCAA Tournament. He was a second-team academic All-American and three-time first-team District VII academic selection. Judkins earned three first-team All-WAC honors and was a member of the 1977 United States World Games team that captured the gold medal.

He played five years in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, Portland Trailblazers, Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz. He was a second-round pick by the Celtics in 1978, the same year the Celtics selected Larry Bird with the sixth pick overall.

After his NBA career, he returned to the U of U in 1989, and remained with the men's program for 10 years. Judkins, a Salt Lake City native, graduated from Utah in 1978 with a degree in health and physical education. He is a member of the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and the Crimson Club Hall of Fame.

He and his wife Mary Kay, are the parents of five children: Jessica (21), Jordan (20), Jenna (17), Jaime (14), Jaxson (11).

Returning player bios

51 Danielle Chessman ---- (6-2 Sophomore Forward, Orem, UT/Mountain View HS)

2002-03: Tallied a season and career high 20 points vs NC State on 12/14/02...had her third double-double of her career and second this season with 10 points and 10 rebounds against George Washington on 12/11/02...picked up her second double-double of her career with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the game against Oregon on 12/07/02...fouled out in the game against Weber State on 11/30/02 with over 8 minutes to go in the contest..she tallied 10 points and seven rebounds against SUU on 12/3/02.

2001-2002: Played in all 33 games, starting in the last 19 of the season...averaged 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds....was team's second leading rebounder...named to the MWC Academic All-Conference Team with a GPA of 3.00 in an undeclared major...picked up a season high 16 points and 12 rebounds vs New Mexico on 2/16/02.

45 Lisa Hansen ---- (6-5 Senior Center, Bakersfield, CA/Centennial HS/UCSB)

2002-03: Lisa picked up a season and career high six blocks in the game against Boise State on 11/27/02..has started in all games

2001-2002: Played in all 33 games for the season...averaging 2.5 points and 2.3 rebounds a game...named to the MWC Academic All-Conference Team with a GPA of 3.31 in History...tallied a season high 10 points and six rebounds at Weber State on 12/01/01.

2000-01: Redshirt.

20 Brittany Larson ---- (6-0 Senior Forward, Chicago, IL/New Trier HS)

2002-03: Has played in all games

2001-2002: Played in 27 games with an average of 1.6 points and 0.9 rebounds per game...also had an average of 6.5 minutes of playing time per game...tallied a season high eight points vs. Washington State on 11/24/01 and a year high four rebounds per game.

2000-2001: Played in 17 games...averaged 1.6 points a game and 1.1 rebounds a game.

1999-2000: Played in 10 games during her first season with BYU...averaged 4.5 minutes of playing time...tallied five points and two assists.

21 Jennifer Leitner ---- (6-1 Senior Forward, Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley HS)

2002-03: Had her 13th career double-double in the game vs University of San Francisco where she tallied 28 points and 11 points...her 28 points in the game were also a career and season high... picked up her 12th career double double and her first of this season with 18 points and 17 rebounds against Boise State..tallied 11 rebounds against SUU on 12/3/02.

2001-02: Played in 30 games, starting in 29 compiling a total of 357 points for an average of 11.9 per game...second leading scorer and leading rebounder on the team averaging 8.7 boards a game...named to the 2002 MWC All --Tournament Team...and to the MWC All-Conference Second Team...also honored as an MWC Academic All-Conference with a GPA of 3.12 in physical education... named Cougar Club Scholar Athlete.... was named MWC Player of the Week on Feb. 25 after her stellar performance against the University of Utah that included her eighth double-double of the year with a team high 18 points and 12 rebounds...tallied a total of 11 double-doubles for the season ...had a season high 18 points vs UNLV on 2/28/02 and a season high 17 rebounds vs Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on 3/16/02.

2000-2001: Played in 20 games with an average of 6.5 ppg and 5.4 rpg....finished the season as the team's second leading rebounder...had season and career high 21 points against Hawai'i in the second round of the WNIT on 3/19/01...in that game she picked up a double-double with 10 rebounds...also had a career and season high four assists in the game against Utah at the MWC Championships on 3/9/01.

1999-2000: Played in all 31 games, starting in one....averaged 7.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg...finished the year as the second leading rebounder with a total of 174, 113 of them defensive boards.

1998-99: Redshirt.

05 Amy Lewis ---- (5-6 Senior Guard, Jefferson City, MT/Jefferson City Hs/No. Idaho College)

2002-03: Has played in four games to date.

2001-02: Played in eighteen games averaging 3.4 minutes of playing time...tallied 14 points, four assists and nine rebounds per game.

25 Kali Taylor ---- (5-11 Sophomore Guard, Lyman, UT/Wayne HS)

2002-03: Tallied a season high 10 points in the game against Oregon on Dec. 7, 2002... has played in all games to date.

2001-2002: Played in 28 of 33 games averaging 5.6 minutes of playing time per game...tallied 1.2 points and 0.4 rebounds...had a season high 11 points vs. Washington State on 11/24/01 and six assists vs Arkansas Pine-Bluff at the Denver Pioneer Classic on 12/14/01.

11 Erin Thorn ---- (5-10 Senior Guard, Orem, UT/Mountain View HS)

2002-03: Had a season high 24 points, 21 of which came from behind the arc against SUU on 12/3/02...tallied a season high eight three pointers in the same game...continues to led the team in scoring in all games to date...was named MWC Player of the Week on Nov. 25, 2002 after her 19 points and six rebounds vs. ,11th ranked Texas. The honor was the third overall for Thorn.

2001-02: Started in all 33 games...averaging 17.3 points and 4.0 rebounds a game....was team's leading scorer for the third consecutive year...picked up the MWC MVP trophy for her performance at the 2002 MWC Championships in Las Vegas where she tallied eight treys in a game vs Wyoming on 3/6/02 and 13 3-pt field goal attempts in that same game...also tallied a total of 60 points for the 2002 tournament in three games...named to the MWC All-Tournament Team and the MWC All-Conference First Team....garnered MWC Player of the Week for the Dec. 17, 2001 week after her strong performance in the University of Denver Pioneer Classic...at that tournament she picked up a season and career record high nine-three pointers in the game against Arkansas Pine-Bluff, the nine treys set a new BYU record for treys in a game for both the men's and women's team....had a season high 29 points against Arkansas Pine-Bluff on 12/14/01...eight rebounds at Boise State on 11/16/01 and season high nine assists vs Colorado State on 1/10/02.

2000-2001: Started in all games...finished the season as the team's leading scorer with an average of 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a game...had career and season high 36 points and eight three-pointers against Arizona on 11/18/00...those eight three-pointers tie her with Kari Gallup for record three-pointers in a game...named to the MWC All Conference First Team and to the MWC All-Tournament Team.

1999-2000: Started in all 31 games...averaged 13.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg...finishing the year as the team's leading scorer...led the team in assists with a total of 114 and an average of 3.7 per game...also led the team in steals with 61 her first season with BYU...scored in double digits in 24 games...was the MWC Player of the Week on December 6 after picking up a career and season high 25 points against Idaho State on December 1, netting 7-of-9 three-pointers which also put her in second place on the BYU chart for treys in a game....named to the Women's Basketball News Service National All-Freshman All-America team...also named Second Team All MWC and Freshman of the Year...named to the MWC All Tournament Team.

REturning redshirt player BIOS

03 Maria Chiara ---- (5-8 Junior Guard, Hamilton, New Zealand/Casper Junior College)

2002-03: Has yet to play this season.

2001-2002: Redshirt

40 Ashleigh Chamberlain ---- (6-4 Junior Center, Kanab, UT/Kanab HS/UVSC)

2001-2002: Redshirt

12 Angy Gatten ---- (5-6 Senior Junior, Jefferson City, MT/Jefferson City

HS/No. Idaho College)

2002-03: Has played in four games to date.

2001-02: Redshirt

32 Kristin Kozlowski ---- (6-2 Sophomore Forward, Centerville, UT/Centerville HS/Boise State)

2001-2002: Redshirt

14 Julie Sullivan ---- (5-8 Sophomore Guard, Silver City, NM/Silver City HS)

2002-03: Has starter all games to date...tallied 10 points, five assists and five rebounds vs NC State on 12/14/02...did not play in the secon dhalf of the game vs. Oregon due to a pulled muscle...picked up a season high 12 points in the game on Dec. 5 vs. USF...had season high seven assists vs Boise State on 11/27/02.

2001-2002: Redshirt

2000-2001: Played in all games...contributing 5.2 points and 1.8 rebounds a game...had season and career high 15 points against Wyoming on 2/17/01...had a season and career high eight assists against Air Force on 3/3/01 named MWC Newcomer of the Year.

newcomer player bios

33 Ambrosia Anderson ---- (6-2 Freshman Forward, Colorado Springs, CO/Doherty HS)

2002-03: Started in two games to date and hhas played in all games to date.

Before BYU: Two-time All-State, All-Area, All-Star in basketball...named Top 70 Blue Chip Player...named in the Top 25 Street & Smith Basketball team.

04 Kestlee Nelson ---- (5-8 Junior Guard, Sandy, Utah

Alta HS/UVSC)

2002-03: Has played in allgames to date.

At UVSC: Female Athlete of the Year in 2002...Team MVP in 2002...First Team All-Region...All-America Honorable Mention...averaged 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.8 steals per game...athletic honor roll.

Before BYU: Team MVP in 2000...three-time All-Region honoree...Academic All-Region....All-State in 2000.

15 Jen Overdiek ---- (5-10 Freshman Guard, Syracuse, Utah

Clearfield HS/UVSC)

2002-03: Has played in all games to date.

Before BYU: Academic All-State... graduated top three percent of class with honors...three-time basketball team MVP...led team in rebounds for four straight years...was team scoring leader three season...four-year letterwinner in women's basketball...named Region I MVP twice...made the All-State First Team three times and Second Team All State once.... named Utah Gatorade Player of the Year in 2002...was also an All-State performer in soccer...lettered two years in soccer and one in volleyball.

01 Nancy Seljaas ---- (6-0 Freshman Guard/Forward, Bountiful, Utah/Bountiful HS)

2002-03: Has played in allgames to date.

Before BYU: Three-time honor roll student...three-time basketball MVP...team captain twice...UWBCA 2002 4A Region Five Player of the Year ...Clipper Newspaper District MVP in 2002...two-time Clipper First Team All-District honoree...two-time UWBCA 4A Region Five First Team...Deseret News Ms. Basketball of Utah in 2002...Salt Lake Tribune 4A MVP in 2002...two-time Deseret News First Team All-State...two-time Salt Lake Tribune First Team All-State...in her senior year averaged 23.3 points a game...six rebounds per game...2.2 steals and 3.6 assists per game... also lettered in volleyball.

2002-03 byu team captains

There are four players that were selected by their teammates to be this season's captains. They are seniors Erin Thorn, Lisa Hansen and Jennifer Leitner and sophomore Danielle Cheesman.

travel itinerary

The team departs from Salt Lake City on Dec. 20, Delta flight #3566, arriving in Albuquerque at 3:45 p.m. While in New Mexico the Cougars will stay at the Marriott Hotel, 2101 Louisiana Blvd., NE, 505-881-6800, 5-5888-2982, fax. The team returns to Salt Lake City on Sat., Dec. 21 on Delta flight#2080, arriving at 8:51 p.m.

Cougars practice schedule/media requests

BYU's women's basketball team holds its practices at the Marriott Center M, W, and F from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Tues.

and Thurs., the team practices from 7-9 a.m. Head coach Jeff Judkins is available for media interviews prior to or after practices. Players are also available at that same time. All interview request must be scheduled in advance through the women's basketball SID Norma Collett. Please contact her at 801-422-4908 or via e-mail at norma_collett@byu.edu She can also be reached on her mobile phone 801-372-0989.

Up Next for byu

The team will finish out the month of December at home after three straight weeks on the road. BYU hosts Montana State on Monday Dec. 30. Tip off is set for 3 p.m.

2002-03 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - NUMERICAL ROSTER

No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Exp. Hometown/School

01 Nancy Seljaas G/F 6-0 Fr. HS Bountiful, UT/Bountiful HS

03 Maria Chiara G 5-8 Jr 2V Hamilton, New Zealand Casper JC

04 Kestlee Nelson G 5-8 Jr 2V Sandy, UT/Alta HS/UVSC

05 Amy Lewis G 5-6 Sr 3V Jefferson City, MT/No. Idaho College

10 Marianne Miller* G 5-6 Jr HS Middleton, ID/Middleton HS

11 Erin Thorn G 5-10 Sr 3V Orem, UT/Mountain View HS

12 Angie Gatten G 5-6 Jr 2V Jefferson City, MT/No.Idaho College

13 Laura Stratton* G 5-6 So HS Missoula, MT/Sentinel HS/BYU Idaho

14 Julie Sullivan G 5-8 So 1V Silver City, NM/Silver City HS

15 Jen Overdiek G 5-10 Fr HS Syracuse, UT/Clearfield HS

20 Brittany Larson F 6-0 Sr 3V Chicago, IL/New Trier HS

21 Jennifer Leitner F 6-1 Sr 3V Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley HS

25 Kali Taylor G 5-11 So 1V Lyman, UT/Wayne HS

30 Melissa Brown * G 5-8 So HS University Place, WA/Curtis HS

32 Kristen Kozlowski F 6-2 So 1V Centerville, UT/Boise State

33 Ambrosia Anderson F 6-2 Fr HS Colorado Springs, CO/Doherty HS

40 Ashleigh Chamberlain C 6-4 Jr 2V Kanab, UT/UVSC

42 Angie Wallace# F 6-0 Fr HS Cleburne, TX/Cleburne HS

45 Lisa Hansen C 6-5 Sr 3V Bakersfield, CA /Centennial/UCSB

51 Danielle Cheesman F 6-2 So 1V Orem, UT/Mountain View HS

* 2002-03 WalkOn/# 2002-03 Redshirt

HEAD COACH: Jeff Judkins (2nd Year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Alli Bills, Jonas Chatterton

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Stacy Jensen

ATHLETIC TRAINER: Carolyn Billings

NICKNAME: Cougars

COLORS: Blue, White and Tan