BYU basketball: Women's team started strong, staggered down stretch

But the Cougars stumbled from there, posting a 6-9 mark down the stretch and finishing the season with a disappointing first-round loss in the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

"We started off really well, playing a tough preseason schedule. We beat TCU at TCU, which was their only loss at home in the conference," said coach Jeff Judkins. "Then all of the sudden, we hit a little spurt where we just couldn't seem to make plays when we needed do. A lot of teams zoned us at the end of the year and we struggled hitting shots. We lost some self-confidence. We have a very young team and sometimes when things don't go right, you lose a little bit of confidence."

While BYU improved over the previous campaign — when the Cougars suffered their only losing season under Judkins — there will be an emphasis on finishing strong heading into next season.

"It's something we're going to focus on and work on as a (coaching) staff," Judkins said. "The team played hard at the end of the year. We just couldn't make plays when we needed to make them."

BYU was one of the youngest teams in the country, with a slew of freshmen and sophomores and just three seniors and one junior on the roster. The Cougars will lose senior starters Shawnee Slade and Cassie King, but almost everyone else returns.

"I'm excited for the future," Judkins said. "We were young. There were a lot of players who improved during the season. Hopefully, we've learned from some of the things we need to do better. I need to do better as a coach. It's important for us to grow together. We had moments where we did that. We had moments when things just didn't come together. As I've interviewed these girls, they're excited to do better next season."

Leading scorer Mindy Nielson, who was a third-team All-MWC performer and a member of the league's all-defensive team, returns.

"Mindy had a great season and I think she'll get better," Judkins said. "Even though she was our leading scorer, I think she needs to score more points for us."

To fill the void of King, who turned in a solid senior year at center, Judkins will turn to Alexis Kaufusi, who redshirted last season.

Key contributors Kristen Riley, Jazmine Foreman, Keilani Moeaki and Coriann Wood will also be back. Judkins will also expect more from Stephanie Buhler, Jenteal Jackson, Megan Marks and Dani Peterson. Jaime Judkins will be BYU's only senior.

At point guard, Haley Hall, who has suffered season-ending knee injuries the past three years, will attempt to make another comeback next season.