BYU Cougars girls’s basketball coach Jeff Judkins talks to his crew throughout a trip because the BYU Cougars play the Portland Pilots within the 2022 WCC Ladies’s Basketball Match semifinals on the Orleans Area in Las Vegas on Monday, March 7, 2022. BYU received 59-52. Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
LAS VEGAS — The No. 15 BYU girls’s basketball crew captured the outright common season West Coast Convention championship.
Now the No. 1 seeded Cougars (26-2) can declare the WCC Match title Tuesday (2 p.m., MST, ESPNU) towards No. 2 Gonzaga (25-6) at Orleans Area.
It’s a rematch of final yr’s championship recreation.
A yr in the past, the Zags’ Jill Townsend hit a game-winning jumper on the buzzer, handing the Cougars a heartbreaking 43-42 loss.
“That was one of many hardest losses I’ve had in a very long time as a coach,” recalled BYU coach Jeff Judkins. “The gamers keep in mind it however they’ve informed themselves that we’re not going to be in that place hopefully once more.”
On Monday, BYU defeated No. 4 Portland 59-52 whereas Gonzaga downed No. 3 San Francisco 69-55.
The Zags are led by guard Kayleigh Truong (10.9 ppg), ahead Melody Kempton (10.9 ppg) and guard Kaylynne Truong (10.5 ppg).
BYU boasts WCC Participant of the 12 months Shaylee Gonzales, who scored a game-high 20 factors towards Portland.
Judkins stated his crew was a bit of rusty Monday after having an extended layoff, explaining that the day off will repay within the championship recreation.
“I’ve informed my crew, you’ve acquired to have an edge. You don’t need to lose. (In opposition to Portland) some issues went dangerous for us however we found out a manner (to win),” he stated. “That’s what this crew has. They’re very assured. We have been prepared. We have been just a bit rusty. … That’s why this crew is enjoyable to educate — they actually care about successful. It’s essential to them.”
BYU swept the common season collection towards Gonzaga, beating the Zags in Spokane 62-50 on Feb. 5, then successful in Provo 64-39 on Feb. 19.
The Cougars want to strengthen their NCAA Match resume with a win Tuesday. BYU hopes to obtain a top-16 general seed and host the primary two rounds of the NCAA Match.
Internet hosting the NCAA Match can be a milestone for the Cougars.
“We've got a whole lot of points (with internet hosting). No one practices on Sunday in our facility,” Judkins stated. “However Utah Valley (College) is just 5 minutes away. They'll go down there and apply. We received’t apply however they will, if we win our first recreation. I simply assume it could be thrilling for BYU’s program.”