BYU women's basketball: Y. hosts revenge-minded TCU

The BYU and TCU women's basketball teams are set to battle today in a Valentine's Day matinee (3 p.m.) at the Marriott Center.

The fourth-place Cougars (16-5, 6-3) and third-place Lady Frogs (15-8, 7-3) are jostling for position in the Mountain West Conference standings — which is crucial because the team that finishes No. 3 will earn a bye into the quarterfinals of the MWC Tournament next month in Las Vegas.

TCU is just a half-game up on BYU in the standings.

Both teams enter today's game on a bit of a roll. The Cougars have won three consecutive contests while the Frogs boast a two-game winning streak. The Frogs are looking to avenge a 62-46 loss to the Cougars in Fort Worth on Jan. 13.

In that contest, BYU's Mindy Nielson poured in a game-high 22 points. The Cougars also held TCU scoreless for more than 7 1/2 minutes during one stretch and limited the Frogs' leading scorer, Helena Sverrisdottir, to 11 points.

Much of BYU's success this season has to do with its defense. The Cougars lead the MWC in scoring defense, allowing just 56 points per game, and 3-point field-goal percentage defense at 26.4 percent.

TCU, on the other hand, has converted on at least seven 3-pointers in four consecutive games, with forward Emily Carter making at least one shot from beyond the arc in 10 straight outings. Guard TK LaFleur has hit one or more 3-pointers in seven contests in a row.

Sverrisdottir is the only player ranked among the conference's top 7 in scoring (No. 3), rebounding (No. 7), assists (No. 2) and steals (No. 7). She has also made 31 consecutive free throws over the past six games.

— Jeff Call

BYU women

TCU (15-8, 7-3) at BYU (16-5, 6-3)

Today, 3 p.m.

Marriott Center

TV: BYU TV