BYU Opens New Era with Dominant Win Over Western Colorado

On Tuesday night at the Marriott Center, BYU women’s basketball marked the beginning of the Lee Cummard Era with an impressive 86-50 triumph against Western Colorado, representing the inaugural clash between the two programs.

Game Overview

Head coach Lee Cummard commented on the team’s performance, stating, “The energy was a little bit higher than we expected early in the game, but we settled in and started making some shots in the second half.” He added that the players’ energy levels improved as the game progressed, showcasing their skills on both offense and defense.

Defensive Dominance

The Cougars exhibited a strong defensive effort, forcing the Mountaineers into 19 turnovers, which translated into 25 points for BYU. Additionally, BYU outscored Western Colorado 34-16 in the paint, highlighting their commanding presence inside.

Freshman Standout

True freshman Sydney Benally led the scoring for the Cougars, netting 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting in her first exhibition game. She also contributed three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block. “This experience was just really fun,” Benally expressed. “Just getting out the first game jitters and playing under the lights in front of a crowd. I felt better in that second half, but I know what this team can bring, so I’m excited for the future.”

Key Contributions

Olivia Hamlin was another key player off the bench, adding 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting along with six rebounds and three assists. Freshman Lara Rohkohl made her presence known by securing five offensive rebounds, contributing to the team’s total of 20 second-chance points.

Returning Players

Ariele Mackey-Williams, who returned from consecutive ACL injuries, shared her thoughts on the team’s progress: “It’s been a journey full of ups and downs. It was really fun to see these younger girls play today and see what we’ve been working on through summer and fall.”

Game Highlights

The first quarter concluded with Benally hitting a near-buzzer-beater from three-point range, putting the Cougars ahead 19-16. The second quarter saw a slow start until Mackey-Williams broke the scoring drought with a three-pointer, followed by a sequence of points that expanded their lead before heading into halftime at 33-25.

BYU maintained control throughout the second half, and a strong performance in the final quarter allowed them to outscore Western Colorado 31-8, culminating in a comprehensive victory.

Looking Ahead

BYU is set to continue its non-conference schedule against Coastal Carolina at the Marriott Center on November 5 at 7 p.m. MDT. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN+ or listen on BYU Radio 107.9, byuradio.org, and the BYU Radio App.