Avenging an earlier loss this season at home, the BYU women’s basketball team put on a dominating performance in Stockton, Calif., to beat University of Pacific 88-57.
Senior Jennifer Hamson led the charge for BYU with 25 points and a career-high 18 rebounds despite constant double-teams and face guarding by Pacific. She also recorded seven blocks and a career-high four assists.
“We didn’t have Morgan (Bailey) the first night we played Pacific,” said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins. “Today, we had a good one-two punch. If Jennifer (Hamson) didn’t have it, she got the ball down to Morgan quite easily. This was the best we’ve played together as a team, and it shows on the stats.”
The Tigers were no match for the Cougars, who saw four players score in double figures in the resounding 31-point win. BYU shot scorching numbers of 59 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point land and 91 percent from the free throw line.
BYU took control of the game from the beginning, jumping out to a 43-33 lead at halftime behind 19 points from Hamson.
Pacific tried to fight back in the second half, coming within seven points, but that rally was silenced by senior guard Kim Beeston’s back-to-back three-pointers to put BYU up 51-38. Sophomore Lexi Eaton hit a three to make the score 57-40 with 15 minutes still left to play in the game. From there, the Cougars’ offense continued to be unstoppable as they surged ahead for the big win. Eaton finished with 19 points and four assists.
Junior Morgan Bailey had another strong game for the Cougars, scoring 17 points. Beeston contributed 15 points while going 4-7 from three-point range, and sophomore point guard Kylie Maeda dished out seven assists.
BYU remains on the road next week to take on Santa Clara Feb. 6 at 8 p.m., MST. Last month, the Cougars topped the Broncos 61-44.
