BYU womens basketball: Nielson leads Cougs past Wright State

LAIE, Hawaii — The Cougars defeated Wright State 56-50 in the first game of the Hukilau Invitational Friday, behind a steady offensive effort from the team.

"I'm proud of how the girls handled their pressure," said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins. " We're getting better and better with each game."

BYU started slow and trailed through most of the first half. Mindy Nielson and Shawnee Slade kept the Cougars close and they tied the game 24-24. The team's first lead of the game came with 1:45 left in the first half when Nielson hit a three-pointer to put the Cougars up by two.

The teams went into the break tied at 29 a piece.

Three-point shooting helped pace BYU through the second half. The team is now 3-2 when it makes at least five three-pointers.

Nielson led all scorers with 19 points for her third double-digit point effort this season. Slade chipped in fifteen. It is the 24th time in her career she has scored in double figures. The Cougars out- rebounded Wright State 31-30.

"I thought we executed better in the second half," said Judkins. "Mindy and Kristen had good games for us."

UVU 66, USC 64: At Laie, Hawaii, Julie McMurray hit a 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds left as Utah Valley upset USC.

McMurray, who finished with eight points and seven rebounds, took a pass from Sandy Marvin-Wall a hit the game-winner right from the top of the three-point line, giving the Wolverines (3-4) their first win ever over a Pac-10 school.

"I'm so proud of the girls right now," said head coach Cathy Nixon. "We didn't let it get away from us despite losing that lead and this was as big a win that we've had as a Division I. Robyn (Fairbanks) carried us tonight but this win goes down as a real team effort. So many different players came up big for us."

Top 25

NO. 14 AUBURN 119, SAM HOUSTON 54: At Auburn, Ala., Whitney Boddie had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists for her first career triple-double, andAuburn routed Sam Houston State. The Tigers (9-0) set a school record for points in a game.

NO. 23 XAVIER 69, AKRON 44: At Cincinnati, Ta'Shia Phillips had 14 points and 11 rebounds and April Phillips had 12 points and 12 rebounds to give the Musketeers their fifth straight win.