Even with former player Jazmine Foreman on the sideline against her Cougar teammates, the BYU women’s basketball was able to pull out another win, 76-55 against Portland on Saturday at the Marriott Center.
The Porland Pilots came out out strong, giving the Cougars a push to defend their home court. It was an up-tempo game, as BYU (18-3, 7-1) started in a full court press. Freshman Lexi Eaton had her hands in the passing lane of Portland (8-14, 1-7) blocking the ball. The Cougars were on their game defensively as they held the Pilots to the last seconds of the play clock.
[media-credit name=”Sarah Strobel” align=”alignright” width=”208″]
[/media-credit]The star of the game was freshman Eaton.
“I feel like I can add more to the team when I’m being more aggressive,” Eaton said. “It’s been the toughest thing I’ve ever done [transitioning from high school ball to the college level]. I put in the hard work and it’s working out for me.”
BYU’s 3-point shots weren’t falling until Eaton set the tone for the team and made two consecutive 3s. Eaton scored 16 points and had five assists and three rebounds. She got into foul trouble in the second half and had to sit on the bench.
“There’s not a better freshman in the league,” BYU head coach Jeff Judkins said about Eaton. “She’s really focused on what she needs to do. She’s going to be a big player when she leaves here, probably one of the best.”
The Cougars ran the ball as senior point guard Hayley Steed dished the ball down low to sophomore Jennifer Hamson for an easy eight points. Hamson took a beating at the post but ended with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
“In the first half her [Eaton] and Jenn [Hamson] were really the offense,” Judkins said. “It’s nice to see a freshman and a sophomore doing that for you.”
Hamson said she’s been working on being more agressive.
‘I can be a big presence when I’m aggressive,” Hamson said.
The referees had no trouble blowing their whistles as both teams went into bonus allowing the women to shoot at the line.
After halftime the Pilots came out fighting as the game became more physical. The Cougars held on tight though, sophomore Kim Parker led scoring, putting up 13 points the entire game.
Steed was unselfish with the ball as she helped her team by pushing 10 assists.
