The BYU women’s basketball team participated in the Radisson Chatsworth Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Cal State Northridge in Northridge, California. BYU first lost to Georgia, but then beat Penn State.
BYU had never played against Georgia up until the holiday tournament. Georgia started off the season strong with a record of three wins against Stetson, Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern and one loss against No. 23 Michigan State.
BYU lost in a close game with the final score of 58-66.
“We got out to a good start tonight, but we couldn’t capitalize on our lead,” Head coach Jeff Judkins said.
BYU was able to overcome the odds in their next game against Penn State and won 63-51. Kalani Purcell and Lexi Eaton Rydalch were especially vital in the team’s success. Purcell scored a career-high of 16 points and made 15 rebounds. Rydalch scored 24 points and had four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Rydalch was named to the All-Tournament Team of the Radisson Chatsworth Thanksgiving Classic.
“I thought it was a great team effort,” Judkins said. “I think this win gives us a lot of confidence moving forward.”
The Cougars are looking forward to playing their next upcoming games in the Tom Weston Invitational in Laie, Hawaii. They will first play against BYU-Hawaii on Wednesday, Dec. 2.
