No. 23 BYU Loses to 'Bama at Triple Crown Classic, 70-59

ALBUQUERQUE -- Playing the last game of a six-game road-trip, No. 23 BYU lost to Alabama 70-59 in the first game of the Triple Crown Classic hosted by the University of New Mexico at The Pit. The game marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams. With the loss the Cougars fall to 6-3, while the Crimson Tide improves to 8-2.

The Crimson Tide jumped out to a quick start with a 10-0 lead three minutes into the game. Trailing 18-5, BYU rallied to get within one point at 23-24, midway through the first half. Alabama went on a run of their own as they shot 7-8 from behind the arc in the first half to take a 43-29 lead into the half. The Cougars shot 6-7 from behind the arc in the first half, but only 3-13 inside the arc.

Both teams played evenly for the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Cougar defense held Alabama scoreless at 54 points for nine-straight minutes, but BYU was unable to capitalize on the offensive end. The Cougars went 0-12 from behind the arc in the second.

Forty-two combined fouls were committed in a physical game that saw four Alabama players leave with an injury time-out and two BYU players leave, including senior forward Jennifer Leitner who left with three minutes left in the game and did not return.

Senior guard Erin Thorn led the Cougars with 16 points. Sophomore point guard Julie Sullivan scored 15, but only went 4-16 from the floor before fouling out in the final minute of play.

Four Alabama players scored in double figures led by senior guard Beth Vice with 15. Vice suffered a mild concussion in the final minute and returned to the game to hit two critical free throws.

"We've had an NBA-like schedule this month and our players had little energy today," head coach Jeff Judkins said. "We need some time off to improve in practice before our next game."

The Cougars return home for a game against Montana State on Dec. 30 at the Marriott Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Official Basketball Box Score
University of Alabama vs Brigham Young
12/21/02 12 p.m. at The Pit
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VISITORS: University of Alabama 7-2
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
32 GAMBLE, N........... f  6-13   0-0    0-2    3  2  5   0  12  1  4  0  1  29
42 JOHNS, J............ c  3-11   0-0    3-6    6  7 13   3   9  0  1  0  1  31
15 REDUS, M............ g  2-5    1-2    1-2    0  8  8   2   6  4  1  0  2  39
20 VICE, B............. g  3-8    3-4    6-6    0  7  7   1  15  4  4  0  0  32
25 SIPE, K............. g  3-6    3-4    1-2    0  0  0   4  10  2  1  0  0  25
11 HUNTER, S...........    3-5    0-0    6-9    1  3  4   4  12  1  0  1  3  15
23 TAYLOR, O...........    2-6    0-0    0-0    1  2  3   1   4  0  0  0  0  13
24 BIVINS, M...........    1-2    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   2   2  0  2  0  1  16
   TEAM................                         1     1
   Totals..............   23-56   7-10  17-27  12 30 42  17  70 12 13  1  8 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  0-0   0.0%   2nd Half: 23-56 41.1%   Game: 41.1%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  0-0   0.0%   2nd Half:  7-10 70.0%   Game: 70.0%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  0-0   0.0%   2nd Half: 17-27 63.0%   Game: 63.0%    3
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HOME TEAM: Brigham Young 6-2
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
51 CHEESMAN, Danielle.. f  2-7    0-0    0-2    0  5  5   5   4  0  4  2  2  28
45 HANSEN, Lisa........ c  0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   1   0  0  0  0  0   6
11 THORN, Erin......... g  7-16   2-9    0-0    2  4  6   1  16  1  4  2  0  38
14 SULLIVAN, Julie..... g  4-16   2-4    5-6    1  4  5   5  15  3  1  0  0  31
33 ANDERSON, Ambrosia.. *  1-6    0-1    0-0    0  2  2   0   2  0  2  0  0   8
01 SELJAAS, Nancy......    0-0    0-0    0-0    1  0  1   0   0  0  1  0  0   2
04 NELSON, Kestlee.....    0-1    0-1    2-2    0  0  0   3   2  3  0  0  1  19
10 MILLER, Marianne....    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   1   0  0  0  0  0   3
15 OVERDIEK, Jen.......    1-1    1-1    0-0    0  3  3   1   3  0  0  0  0  12
20 LARSON, Brittany....    0-1    0-0    2-2    0  1  1   4   2  1  1  0  2  11
21 LEITNER, Jennifer...    5-8    1-2    1-2    3  3  6   2  12  3  2  2  2  30
25 TAYLOR, Kali........    0-1    0-1    3-4    1  3  4   2   3  0  0  0  0  12
   TEAM................                         2  2  4
   Totals..............   20-57   6-19  13-18  10 27 37  25  59 11 15  6  7 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  0-0   0.0%   2nd Half: 20-57 35.1%   Game: 35.1%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  0-0   0.0%   2nd Half:  6-19 31.6%   Game: 31.6%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  0-0   0.0%   2nd Half: 13-18 72.2%   Game: 72.2%   2,1
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Officials:
Technical fouls: University of Alabama-None. Brigham Young-None.
Attendance: 2200
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
University of Alabama.........   43   27  -   70
Brigham Young.................   29   30  -   59