BYU women's basketball: Cougars, Cowgirls battle for position

PROVO — When the BYU women's basketball team hosts Wyoming tonight in its final home game of the season, it is also jockeying for position in the Mountain West Conference race.

Not to mention seeding in next week's MWC Tournament in Las Vegas.

The Cougars (17-9, 7-7) and Cowgirls (15-12, 7-7) are tied for fifth. However, the two teams have been going in opposite directions.

BYU has lost four of its last five games, including a 59-54 setback at archrival Utah last Saturday. The Cougars squandered a 13-point lead over the Utes.

Wyoming has won four of its last five games, including back-to-back wins over Colorado State and Air Force.The Cowgirls enjoy balanced scoring, with Hillary Carlson averaging a team-high 11.7 points, followed by Kristen Scheffler (10.4 ppg) and Megan McGuffey (10.3 ppg).

When the two teams met on Feb. 18, BYU beat Wyoming in Laramie, 58-45. The Cougars lead the all-time series, 46-19, and own a 17-7 record when playing at the Marriott Center.

Tonight marks the final regular-season home game for three Cougar seniors — forward Shawnee Slade, center Cassie King and guard Sarah Red-Hostetter.

Cougars on the air

Wyoming (15-12, 7-7) at BYU (17-9, 7-7)

Tonight: 7 p.m.

TV: BYU TV; Radio: None

E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com