Four Players In Double Figures Seals Win Over Syracuse

Laie, Hawaii – Behind 22 points from Kim Parker, the BYU women’s basketball team had no problem taking care of its final game in the Hukilau Invitational with an 83-59 victory over Syracuse, Saturday.

“We played really well today and I’m very proud of our team, especially how we played against two very tough teams in Arizona and Syracuse,” said head coach Jeff Judkins. “Today we played hard, executed our game plan and I thought that Kim Parker had a great week.”

To go along with her 22 points, Parker grabbed five rebounds and dished out six assists. Senior forward Dani Peterson also played a significant role in the winning effort recording her first ever double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Lexi Eaton and Haley Steed also scored in double digits each tallying 10. Steed dished out a team and game high eight assists.

The Cougars (7-2) controlled every aspect of the first 20 minutes of action going up 11-4 off of 3-pointers from Parker, Lexi Eaton and Haley Steed. They would extend their lead by 15, 21-6 with 13:19 left and never looked back. At the break BYU was up by 20, 45-25.

In the opening minutes of the second half, back-to-back treys from Steed and Parker gave the Cougars a 24-point advantage, 51-27.

With just over 10 minutes left in the game, Stephanie Vermunt put up a three-pointer giving the Cougars a 35-point cushion, 71-36. Freshman Ashley Garfield was fouled on the ensuing play as she was attempting a three-point bucket. She made all three for a 74-40 lead.

The Orange (6-2) would go on a 14-6 run in the closing minutes of the game, but it was too little, too late for Syracuse. 

The Cougars finished the game shooting 49 percent from the field and 42 percent 11-26, from behind the arc. The team outscored the Syracuse bench 21 to 13.

BYU women’s basketball brings its six-game win streak home to battle two instate rivals this coming week. Southern Utah comes to the Marriott Center Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. The Cougars then host Utah on Sat. Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. Both games will air live worldwide on BYUtv.

Postgame Notes
Team
With the win over Syracuse, the Cougars remained undefeated in the four-year history of the Hukilau Invitational.

For the third time on the year and the second straight, the Cougars had four players put up double digits in points. Parker (22), Peterson (14), Eaton (10), Steed (10).

BYU made 11 three pointers making it the second consecutive game they’ve made that many improving its record to 5-1 when making at least five treys in a game.

The Cougars were up 45-25 at the break improving their record to 6-0 when leading at the break.

For just the second time on the year, both teams finished tied in the rebound category with 36 each.

The team dished out a total of 27 assists for the second straight time this season. It marks the eighth time that they’ve recorded more assists then their opponents. Syracuse finished the game with seven.

Player
Kim Parker led the team in points for the second straight game with 22, marking her fourth straight double figure outing, her sixth of the season and the 11^th of her career.

Dani Peterson picked up her first ever double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The boards are also season and career highs.

Haley Steed’s team and game high eight assists tied for season highs. She also tallied 10 points for the second straight time, the fifth double figure game of the year and her 33^rd overall.

Lexi Eaton finished the game scoring 10 points marking her fifth double digit performance of the year and her career.