Wyoming At Marriott Center For Only MWC Game This Week

Despite a disappointing conference loss to Utah last week, the no. 19 BYU women's basketball team remains atop the standings after sweeping the series with UNLV. This week they plan to do the same against Wyoming. The Cowgirls (16-6, 6-5) come to the Marriott Center Sat., Feb. 18 in a 2 p.m., MWC game.

Teams:BYU(20-2, 10-1)vs. WYO (16-6,6-5) Date: 02/18/06 Time: 2 p.m. Arena: Marriott Ctr.

Follow the women's basketball action on BYU Radio

All of the women's basketball games can be heard on BYU radio via the internet at www.byuradio.org Veteran BYU broadcaster Jay Monsen calls the action. Fans can also access BYU Radio on the Dish Network.

BYU's Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

G/F 15 Jennie Keele 5-10 Jr 4.7 3.5

G 30 Mallary Gillespie 5-10 So 10.4 4.1

F 35 Melinda Johnsen 5-10 Jr 4.4 4.5

F 33 Ambrosia Anderson 6-2 Sr 18.5 7.5

C 45 Dani Kubik 6-3 Jr 9.2 5.7

Cougar Players Off The Bench

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 01 Nancy Seljaas 6-0 Sr 3.6 1.4

G 10 Laura Stratton 5-6 Sr 1.3 0.5

G 23 Brit Brown 5-7 So 0.4 0.3

G 24 Vanessa Hutson 5-4 Fr 3.1 1.4

G/F 32 Shawnee Slade 5-11 Fr 3.1 1.8

F 41 Brittany Faddis 6-0 Fr 1.0 0.4

C 52 Lauren Riley 6-3 So 6.0 5.8

C 54 Cassie King 6-3 Fr 1.1 1.4

2005-06 Team Stats --

-- Shooting from the field: (.426, 545-1278)

-- Shooting from the free-throw line: (.625 , 220-352)

-- Shooting from three-point line: (.337, 139-413)

--Average points per game: 65.9

Notables in 2005-06

-- Leading scorer: Ambrosia Anderson - 18.5 ppg

-- Leading rebounder: Ambrosia Anderson - 7.5 rpg

-- Assist leader: Melinda Johnsen- 3.64 apg

-- Blocks leader(s): L. Riley- 14 to date and Dani Kubik- 13 to date -- Steals leader: Melinda Johnsen - 43 to date, 1.95 spg

-- BYU continues its best record and start in school history. During the 2002-03 season they went 5-0 through the first five games before the team's first loss.

-- BYU has outrebounded its opponents in 15 of 22 games to date

BYU Team Gets Top 25 Ranking

For the first time since the 2002-03 season, BYU's women's basketball team and its 13-1 record breaks into this week's 01/16/06 AP Poll at the no. 23 spot, and also rank 23rd in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches Poll. The team's last top 25 ranking came during the 2002-03 year when the Cougars had tallied a 5-1 record before losing at George Washington who was ranked 22nd, on 12/11/02. BYU also finished ranked 17th after its first-ever Sweet Sixteen finish in 2001-02.

For the week beginning Jan. 23, BYU jumped to the no.20 spot in both polls.

The week of Jan.30, the team is ranked 19th by both polls.

The week of Feb. 6, the Cougars are ranked 18th in both polls.

Feb. 13, BYU was ranked 19th by AP Poll, and stayed 18th in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches Poll.

Anderson Joins 1,000-Point Club

After the 14 points scored by Ambrosia Anderson in the game at Wyoming on Jan. 18., she becomes one of only 18 players in BYU women's basketball history to eclipse the 1,000 point mark. As of Feb. 13, she has tallied, 1,120 total points in her four-year career.

Gillespie's Buzzer Beater Winning Basket Makes ESPN Highlights

Sophomore guard Mallary Gillespie's game-winning basket at Utah on 01/07/06 made that night's ESPN Sports Center list of the 10 best Plays of the Day. It also took the number seven spot on Chris Birman Plays of the Week on Sunday, Jan. 8.

Cougars By The Numbers

2 games where four players have scored in double figures (@ Stony Brook and @ UC Riverside)

3 games where the Cougars have shot at least 50 percent: @ AF on 2/4/06, vs. UNLV 01/14/06 and vs. NAU, 50.8

6 games in which the Cougar defense has held opponents to under 30 percent shooting from the field (vs. UCSB, @ Seton Hall, @ Weber State, @ Wyoming, vs. SDSU, vs. CSU)

8 games in which three players have scored in double figures

9 assists by Melinda Johnsen, the team's assist leader (vs. UNLV on 1/11/06)

10 games in which A. Anderson has been the team's leading rebounder

11 games won by the Cougars on the road

11 games in which two players have scored in double figures

11 longest winning streak of the 2005-06 season, ended on 2/8/06 with 52-70 loss to Utah in Provo

11 career games where A. Anderson has picked up a double double

14 rebounds grabbed by Dani Kubik, team's second leading rebounder (vs. SDSU on 1/21/06)

15 games where BYU has outrebounded opponents

16 games where BYU has made at least five three-pointers

17 games won by BYU when leading at the half

21 games where Ambrosia Anderson has scored in double figures

26 season and career high points by Ambrosia Anderson (vs. NAU on 12/10/05)

34 biggest margin of victory, vs. NAU 82-48

42 most first half points scored, vs. CSU on 1/28/06

Cougar Honors To Date

Ambrosia Anderson was named the M WC Player of the Week on Nov. 28, 2005.

Player Injury Report

Sophomore forward Mary Martha Abell, from Monroe, Louisiana suffered a torn ACL injury in the exhibition game against Westminster College on Nov. 1. She will use this season as an injury redshirt year.

MWC PreSeason Poll

Cougars Picked To Finish 6th In PreSeason Poll

Rk. Team (1st-place votes) Points

1. Utah (23) 214

2. New Mexico (2) 180

3. TCU (1) 164

4. UNLV 137

5. Colorado State 117

6. BYU 107

7. Wyoming 90

8. San Diego State 45

9. Air Force 31

Last Game Recap

vs. UNLV Sat. Feb. 11, 2006

Last-second heroics from Ambrosia Anderson and Melinda Johnsen gave BYU (20-2, 10-1) a 55-51 win over UNLV (13-8, 5-5) in Las Vegas.

With the score tied and just 20 seconds left in regulation, Anderson drained a three-pointer to give BYU a three-point lead. On the Rebels' next possession, Melinda Johnsen was fouled on a rebound, converting the second of two free throws to seal the win for BYU.

UNLV got on the board first with a bucket by Nikki Hitchens two minutes into the game. Ambrosia Anderson came right back to give BYU a 3-2 lead off her three pointer.

With 14:23 left in the half, Sequoia Holmes netted a bucket for the Rebels, tying the game at eight points apiece.

On Cougars next possession, Mallary Gillespie scored her second three pointer of the night to give BYU an 11-8 lead. The Cougars extended their lead to 20-12 with a jump shot from Shawnee Slade, another three from Mallary Gillespie and a layup from Dani Kubik with 7:43 left in the half.

Although BYU held a comfortable lead, a few uncharacteristic turnovers hurt the Cougars at the end of the half.

With just over six minutes on the clock, Sheena Moore scored for UNLV, followed by a Cougar turnover that resulted in a three pointer from Holmes to cut BYU's lead to three, 20-17.

Gillespie responded with her fourth three pointer of the night.

Kisha Lee and Tiggany Burries then bucketed shots off Cougar turnovers to bring the score within one, 24-23.

Kubik came right back and scored a layup for the Cougars. BYU had two opportunities to score at the end of the half, but was unable to convert. Moore nailed a three as time ticked away to tie the score at 26 points apiece going into the half.

The second half was as exciting as basketball gets, as each team had their share of great moves, as well as turnovers.

Kubik scored the first bucket of the half, followed by three-point play from Hitchens to give UNLV a one-point lead.

With just over 13 minutes remaining in the game, Anderson converted a three-point play plus another basket, giving BYU a three-point lead, 37-34.

The Rebels regained the lead, 42-41, off a pair of free throws from Moore with 8:23 remaining. BYU responded with a couple of free throws from Anderson to take back the lead with 5:42 left in the game.

Kubik netted a layup with 2:24 left on the clock to give BYU a one-point lead, 49-48, but a Cougar turnover allowed Kameca Simmons to convert a three-point play and give the Rebels a two-point lead.

Kubik responded with another layup to tie the score at 51 points with 1:31 left in regulation. With just 20 seconds left on the game clock and the shot clock running short of time, Anderson stepped up to the challenge and nailed a three pointer to give the Cougars a three-point lead.

The Rebels' desperation attempt misfired. Johnsen yanked down the rebound and was fouled. She converted one-of-two important free throws and put the game out of reach.

For the eighth time this season, three players scored in double figures for BYU. Kubik lead the way with 16 points, followed by Anderson and Gillespie with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Three players also posted double figures for UNLV, as Moore and Simmons each scored 13 points, while Holmes added 12 points.

BYU shot 38 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line, compared to UNLV's 37 percent and 86 percent, respectively.

The Cougars are now an amazing 11-0 on the road.

Head Coach - Jeff Judkins

Overall Record: 97-48

Jeff Judkins is in his fifth year as head coach after serving one year as the Director of Basketball Operations at BYU. He was also the scheduling coordinator. He has been involved in coaching for 16 years.

The longtime University of Utah coach and player came to Provo with a proven record of success dating back to his high school days at Highland High School in Salt Lake City. An all-state selection in basketball, football and baseball, Judkins went on to play for the University of Utah from 1974-78.

While playing at Utah, Judkins helped lead the Utes to one conference championship and two berths in the NCAA tournament. He was a second-team academic All-American and three-time District VII academic selection. He also earned three first team All-WAC honors and was a member of the 1977 United States World Games team that captured the gold medal.

Judkins also played five years in the National Basketball Association for the Boston Celtics, Portland Trailblazers, Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz. He was a second-round pick of the Celtics in 1978, the same year the Celtics selected Larry Bird with the sixth pick overall. He made second-team all-rookie in 1979 with the Boston Celtics.

After his NBA career, he returned to Utah in 1989 and was an instrumental part of the program's success during his 10 years with the program, recruiting such players as Keith Van Horn, Andre Miller, Mike Doleac, Hanno Mottola, Alex Jensen, Trent Whiting, Garner Meads, Jeff Johnsen and Britton Johnsen.

Judkins, graduated from the University of Utah in 1978 with a degree in health and physical education. He and his wife Mary Kaye are the parents of five children: Jessica (25), Jordan (23), Jenna (21), Jaime (18), and Jaxson (15).

Nearing 100 Wins Mark

With the 55-51 win at UNLV on Sat., Feb. 11, 2006, Head Coach Jeff Judkins has 97 total wins in his fifth season as head coach of BYU. He's just four victories away from reaching 100-wins coaching milestone.

Judkins Record vs. MWC School

School Record In 2006

Air Force 8-0 2-0

CSU 3-5 1-0

New Mexico 4-7 1-0

San Diego State 8-0 1-0

UNLV 7-4 2-0

Utah 3-6 1-1

Wyoming 5-4 1-0

TCU 1-1 1-0

This Week's Cougar Opponent

Wyoming

The University of Wyoming is in fifth place in this week's MWC standings with a 6-5 record after a 59-67 lost at TCU and a 59-33 home win over the Air Force Falcons. The Lobos host New Mexico, who's tied with Utah for second place at 6-3 on Thursday night before Saturday afternoon's game in Provo. For the Cowgirls, two players top the leader board in scoring with sophomore forward Hanna Zavecz 13.5 points and a team high 6.3 rebounds. Another sophomore, Jodi Bolerjack, follows with double digit scoring averaging 12.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. After 22 games played, Wyoming is shooting 38 percent from the field, 71 percent at the free throw line and 33 percent from behind the arc. The team is tallying 60.7 points per game and holding opponents to just 53.8 points per contest.

Wyoming Probable Starters

Pos. # Name Ht. Yr. PPG RPG

F 05 Hanna Zavecz 6-0 So 13.5 6.3

F 25 Michelle Taylor 5-11 Jr 6.1 3.4

G 02 Jodi Bolerjack 5-9 So 12.9 2.4

G 23 Erin Hicks 5-9 Sr 8.8 5.5

G 24 Megan McGuffey 5-11 Fr 8.5 5.3

Series Record: 41-17 favoring BYU

Last time this season: First game played in Laramie on Jan. 18, 2006.

The No. 23 BYU women's basketball team overwhelmed host Wyoming, 60-44, behind the leadership of Ambrosia Anderson who scored her 1,000th point. Anderson's basket at the 10:18 mark gave her 1,001 career points, becoming only the eighteenth Cougar to join the 1,000-point club. The basket ignited a fire under the BYU team, which turned on its defensive pressure, forcing the Cowgirls to go almost seven minutes without a single basket. BYU took a 28-17 lead into the half.

The Cougars again jumped out strong to begin the second half of action, going on a 7-2 run off a three pointer from Anderson, two free throws from Dani Kubik and a bucket from Lauren Riley. Although BYU then went dry for nearly three minutes, the team was able to keep Wyoming at bay by only allowing four points during that time.

BYU Game Stats:

Most Points: Ambrosia Anderson and Lauren Riley -- 14

Most Rebounds: Ambrosia Anderson - 9

Most Steals: Mallary Gillespie -- 3

Team FG Percentage: 41.5% (22/53)

Team 3FG Percentage: 33.3% (6/18)

Team FT Percentage: 71.4% (10/14)

During last year's meetings between the Cougars and Cowgirls, Wyoming swept the series , winning at home 74-63 and at the Marriott Center 75-56.

When playing at the Marriott Center, the Cowgirls have a 6-15 record.

At Home Practice/Media Interviews

Schedule: MWF 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Tues 1-3 p.m.TH 11-1 p.m. Any media requests for coach Jeff Judkins and players are to be set up in advance with a 24-hour notice. No interviews or granted on game-day until after that day's game. Media should contact Norma Collett via phone or email at: 801-422-4908 office or 801-372-0989 cell, or via email: norma_collett@byu.edu

Up Next

After the Wyoming game, BYU travels to San Diego to battle the Aztecs on Wed., Feb. 22 before returning to the Marriott Center to play MWC newcomer TCU on Sat., Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. The game with the Horned Frogs will be the last home game of the season for the Cougars and will air live on BYUTV.