The undefeated Cougars snapped Creighton’s 15 home game unbeaten streak in a nail-biter victory 52-51.
“We really defended well tonight,” said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins. “They forced us to defend for 30 seconds because they run a lot of motion and ball screens. I thought our defensive effort to not allow easy baskets with the shot clock running down was a big factor.”
Creighton came out hot and started the game off with a 6-0 run. But the Cougars would rally back with the help of Lexi Eaton, who scored six quick points, and the Cougars went on a 14-2 run to regain the lead. The Cougar defense stepped up huge for the team and held the Bluejays to just 1-13 from the field.
After a Bluejays three, Jennifer Hamson hit a jumper right before the half to give the Cougars the 31-22 lead. In the first half the Cougars shot 46.2 percent from the field. Hamson was dominant in the first half and had 12 points and eight rebounds. Eaton was also a key contributor in the first half and finished with eight points.
At the start of the second half, Eaton jump started the Cougars into a 9-0 run after she hit a long three. After that, the Cougars went cold and Creighton was able to go on a 14-2 run and cut the Cougar lead to single digits, 42-36.
In the end it came down to free throws, and the Cougars were able to hit some key free throws to hold on to the victory.
“We made a few mistakes at the end, but we’re happy with the win,” Eaton said.
The Cougars are now 8-0 and are on their best start since the 2005–06 season. This was the sixth time this season the Cougars have out-rebounded their opponents.
The team will hit the road again on Dec. 10, facing instate rival Weber State. Tipoff starts at 7:00 p.m., and the game can be heard on BYUradio.
