The Cougars remain undefeated this season as they dominated the Matadors on the road with a final score of 82-66.
Jennifer Hamson had another dominant night in the post. Hamson finished with her third straight double-double, with 24 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
“Jen gave us a serious mismatch down low,” head coach Jeff Juddkins said. “They couldn’t stop her tonight. She played just 19 minutes and got 24 points for us. She had a great game.”
Early in the first half, the Cougars struggled with fouling, as the team committed five fouls in the first six minutes of play compared to the Matadors who did not commit any. However, the Matadors would get into a little foul trouble of their own and committed seven straight fouls.
After trailing against the Matadors early in the game, the Cougars were able to take a two point lead 18-16, after Hamson hit two critical free-throws. This provided a spark the Cougars so desperately needed and they never game up the lead the rest of the half. With just under five minutes left in the first half the Cougars were able to gain their largest lead 41-30.
Thanks to a steal by Kim Beeston just before halftime the Cougars went into the locker room with a 43-37 lead. BYU shot the ball well in the first half and were 47 percent from the field and 10-13 from the free-throw line.
The Cougars shooting streak continued into the second half. In the starting seconds of the half, Beeston hit a rainbow three off a beautiful assist by Kylie Maeda. This set the tone for the rest of the game. With just seven minutes left in the game, BYU led by as much as 28 points over the Matadors.
Four players finished in double digits for the third time this season for the Cougars. Hamson had 24 points, Lexi Eaton added 16, Beeston finished with 14 followed by 13 from Morgan Bailey.
With so many players having the ability to score baskets for the Cougars, this has helped create a more spread out offense making it harder for teams to defend.
“When I’m inside and double teamed, it’s so easy for me to pass it out and have Lexi or Kim score it… it just makes us even tougher.” Hamson said.
BYU heads back home to the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Nov. 26, to face Washington State at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on BYUtv.
