Provo, Utah –
BYU women’s basketball opened up its 2024-25 non-conference schedule, defeating Idaho 67-62 Wednesday night at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.
https://twitter.com/byuwbb/status/1854376429343191124
“I feel like this was a big learning game,” said coach Amber Whiting. “Some positives, not a lot, but the important thing was they [BYU women’s basketball] stayed together, they didn’t turn on each other. They stayed together and stayed the course. The final two minutes, when they locked, I felt like they were very connected and ready to go.”
True freshman Delaney Gibb was one of the most efficient players for the Cougars, registering 17 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field and knocking down 8-of-10 free throws from the free throw, two of which would ice the game along with five assists.
“She’s phenomenal, but I see it every day in practice,” said Whiting. I expect it from her. She [Delaney Gibb] gives us a huge lift, and I don’t feel like people really knew who she was until they actually see her play.
Her highlight of the second half would be a left-handed block.
https://twitter.com/byuwbb/status/1854371229790314866
“Honest, I think what helped me out was my defense. When Amari was off, I had to pick up ball, and that gave me a lot of energy. That worked well, then also attacking into the paint hard and drawing fouls. It’s always nice to get to the free-throw line and knock down some free shots.
Marya Hudgins wad the spark early for the Cougars, hitting two 3-pointers to give BYU a 20-9 early lead. Hudgins would finish with eight points, nine rebounds, and one assist. The Swifty would make her presence known early with a block and two steals.
https://twitter.com/byuwbb/status/1854348487728710084
“She had a really good pass to the side,” said Whiting
The Vandals wouldn’t go away nicely as Arthur Moreira’s team would battle back down 16.
Idaho entered the third quarter down 10. BYU was up 57-55 when guard Hope Hassmann stole the ball from guard Amari Whiting and cut the Cougar lead to two.
Kemery Congdon iced the game with 30.9 seconds, but seconds later, Hassmann answered with a 3-pointer to keep the game within reach with one five she hit on the night.
“It was huge, it was huge. I just loved that she stepped up and knocked it down,” said Whiting regarding to Condgon’s 30-foot 3-pointer to give BYU a four point lead.
The 5-foot-8 sophomore from Maple Valley, Washington, and Cal State Fullerton transfer scored 23 points, three assists, and two rebounds.
Senior Rosie Schweizer wasn’t too far behind, contributing 10 points going 3-of-4 from the field, and would grab six boards in the contest with two dimes.
BYU had some fouls trouble in the contest. Amari Whiting, Emma Calvert, Lauren Davenport, Heather Hamson, Brinley Cannon, and Marya Hudgins, all had two fouls at halftime. The Vandals would take advantage and almost double the Cougars in free throw attempts at the charity stripe shooting 18-of-24.
“Six. Six girls with two fouls,” said Whiting. “When you can rotate people, you always have some fresh. It’s always fresh legs out there going. I feel like when I have all the girl sitting there, some of them start thinking about themselves and their fouls. It took them out of the rhythm of the game, so just staying with it. We’ll learn.”
The Cougars continue their home stand hosting Wyoming Saturday Nov. 9th. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m MST. The game will streamed live on ESPN+.
