State women's roundup: Cougars, Utes claim MWC wins

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Four players scored in double-figures, including Jazmine Foreman's game-high 17 points, as BYU blew by Air Force 78-53 in Mountain West Conference women's basketball action Saturday.

The Cougars improved to 16-6 overall, 7-3 MWC and remained in second place in the MWC standings.

Foreman's 17 points came from 6-for-10 shooting and three 3-pointers. The guard also added five steals, five assists and three rebounds.

"We had good balanced scoring in today's game and we took care of the ball, said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins. "Jazmine played very well, and she did a good job of running our offense."

The Cougars' defense frustrated the Falcons, as BYU racked up 18 steals and forced 26 turnovers overall, resulting directly into 35 points. The Cougars also had 18 steals in their first game against Air Force.

BYU equaled its defensive effort on the offensive end by utilizing its size in the post. BYU outscored the Falcons 38-16 in the paint, led by Kristen Riley's 10 points, six rebounds and three steals and Keilani Moeaki, who had nine points, three assists and three steals.

"I thought Keilani had one of her best games of the season," Judkins said.

BYU's 78 points gives the team back-to-back games of 70 points or more and is the most the Cougars have scored in league play to date.

Mindy Bonham added 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting, while Coriann Wood had 10 points and three assists for BYU, which returns for two home games this week.

UTAH 52, NEW MEXICO 49: At Albuquerque, N.M., Taryn Wicijowski scored 17 points and the Utah women's basketball team won its fourth straight game in The Pit against the Lobos.

Halie Sawyer had a season-high 13 points with nine rebounds for the Utes, while Kalee Whipple also scored 13 points.

With the score tied at 45-45 with 7:40 left, the Utes held the Lobos scoreless for the next 5:25 while taking a four-point lead over the span, 49-45. New Mexico scored four quick points to tie the game at 49 with 0:54 points left.

But Wicijowski put Utah back in the lead with a free throw with 38 seconds left, while Whipple clinched the win with a pair of her own free throws with 12 seconds remaining.

TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN 78, UTAH VALLEY 69: At Edinburg, Texas, a late run sent Texas-Pan American to victory over Utah Valley in Great West Conference women's basketball action.