MWC Race Begins at UNLV This Week

On a four-game winning streak and a (9-3, 0-0) nonconference record, the BYU women’s basketball team begins the MWC season on the road.

The Cougars open up the 2010 league race at UNLV (7-7, 0-0) on Wed. Jan. 6. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. PT.

2009-10 Stats Summary

-- Shooting from field: (.440, 313-711)

-- Shooting from free-throw line: (.607, 119-196)

-- Shooting from three-point line: (.367, 87-237)

-- Average points per game: 69.3

-- Average rebounds per game: 41.3

-- Average assists per game: 16.3

-- Average steals per game: 10.2

-- Average blocks per game: 3.6

-- Average turnovers per game: 19.0

Player Injury Report

Freshman guard Kim Parker suffered a season ending injury in the game at Weber State. She has torn ligaments in her left foot.

Sophomore guard Jenteal Jackson will redshirt the rest of the year due to an on-going back problem.

Junior forward Megan Leach is probable for Wednesday’s game after sitting out the last two due to a shoulder injury.

THIS WEEK’S MWC COUGAR OPPONENT

UNLV - Wed. Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. PT (Las Vegas, NV) - Cox Pavilion

The Rebels enter MWC play with a 7-7 record, winning three of their last five games and they are 3-5 when playing at Cox Pavilion. Two players are currently scoring in double figures for UNLV led by Erica Helms who tallied 13.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Freshman Thompson is next with 13.4 points and 4.1 rebounds. Sophomore guard/forward Jamie Smith leads the team in the rebound category grabbing 9.8 boards per game. Helms tops the list in both assists and steals dishing out a total of 48 and getting 31 steals to date. Head Coach Kathy Olivier is in her second season with the Rebels.

Stat Comparison

Category BYU LV

FG: .440 .379

3FG: .367 .344

FT: .607 .646

Points: 69.3 65.3

Reb: 41.3 39.4

Series Information

Overall Series Record: BYU leads 23-12

BYU Record in Provo: 13-2

BYU Record in Las Vegas: 9-9

BYU Record in Neutral Sites: 1-1

BYU Record under Jeff Judkins: 13-7

BYU Record in Overtime Games: 1-2

Longest BYU Win Streak: 5 (twice, 2001-02; 2005-07)

Longest UNLV Win Streak: 3 (twice, 1975-79; 2004)

Largest BYU Margin of Victory: 26, 74-48 in 2005

Largest UNLV Margin of Victory: 13, 77-64 in 2004

A Look Back at the Series during the 2009 MWC Race

BYU swept the series with UNLV, but fell to the Rebels in first round action at the 2009 MWC Championships. When playing in Las Vegas, the Cougars are 9-9. They won their last game there on Jan. 21, 2009, a 67-62 BYU victory.

Cougars Travel Schedule

Team Flights: Tuesday, Jan. 6 - Delta flight# 1120 departs from Salt Lake City at 3:15 p.m., and arrives in Las Vegas at 3:35 p.m.

Thurs. Jan. 8 - Delta flight# 4658 departs Las Vegas at 10:35 a.m., and arrives in Salt Lake City at 12:58 p.m.

Team Hotel: Hyatt Place - 4520 Paradise Road, 702-369-3366, 702-369-0009, fax.

What’s Next

After the matchup at UNLV, the BYU team continues MWC with their first home league game on Wed. Jan. 13 when they host the Air Force Academy at 7 p.m. That game is scheduled to air live on BYU TV.