BYU women’s basketball overcame a 15-point deficit behind Jennifer Hamson and Kylie Maeda to beat the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks 70-66 on Friday at the Marriott Center in the first of two exhibition games.

“We struggled early tonight trying to get a rhythm,” head coach Jeff Judkins said. “That team runs their stuff really well. We got beat defensively by not being in the right place in the right time. In the second half we played a lot better and did a better job defensively.”

Hamson tied a career-high with 25 points, 15 in the second half, and had 13 rebounds to lead the Cougars. Maeda had 11 points and the duo combined to score six straight buckets for the Cougars during the decisive stretch late in the second half.

Down by as many as 15 points in the first half, the Cougars took their first lead of the game at 57-55 when Hamson put back an offensive rebound with just less than seven minutes left in the game. The teams traded baskets and were tied at 63 when Maeda sank a three from the left wing with 1:54 left. On the next BYU possession, Kristine Fuller hit a 3-pointer as the shot clock ran down to extend the lead to 69-63 with 54 seconds left. A free throw by Lexi Eaton and a late three from Sharay Selsor provided the final margin.

Kim Beeston hit a three on the Cougars’ first possession of the second half but the Mavericks immediately went on a 7-0 run to push the lead up to 13 at 44-31, forcing a BYU timeout. The Cougars went on a 18-5 run highlighted by seven straight points from Hamson to tie the game at 49 with just over 10 minutes left.

The Cougars fell behind early, allowing the Mavericks to score the game’s first six points. BYU’s struggles continued as Colorado Mesa used a 14-2 run led by Selsor’s seven points to take a 23-11 lead midway through the first half. Ashley Garfield’s putback sparked an 8-2 run to end that half and get the Cougars back to within nine at 37-28. The Cougars shot 28 percent from the field in the half and failed to make a 3-pointer in seven attempts.

The Mavericks, coming off a 31-2 season and a Division II Elite Eight appearance, were led by Selsor’s 24 points and five rebounds. Forward Aubry Boehme had 18 points and six rebounds.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. MST against the Westminster Griffins at the Marriott Center. The game is free to the public. 

Postgame  Notes

Team

Colorado Mesa led by as many as 15 points in the first half. BYU took their first lead of the game from a Jennifer Hamson put-back bucket at 57-55 with 6:44 left in the game.

The Cougars out-rebounded the Mavericks 24-20 in the first half and outshot them at the free throw line 91 percent to 63 percent in the first half as well.

The Cougars led the assist battle 22-19 and had nine blocks compared to just two for Colorado Mesa. BYU dominated on the boards, winning defensively in the paint 43-32.

Player

Kim Beeston got three fouls within the first two minutes of the game – two offensive and one defensive.

Jennifer Hamson scored 10 points to go along with seven boards and three blocks in the first half. She finished the game with a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Morgan Bailey also recorded double-digits in rebounds with 10, while Kylie Maeda added 11 points. Stephanie Rovetti came off the bench to lead the team in assists with six. 

In preparation for the 2013-14 women’s basketball season, the Cougar women will play two exhibition games this week.

BYU hosts Colorado Mesa University on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. and in-state foe Westminster College Saturday, Nov. 2 in a 3 p.m. tipoff. Both contests are free to the public and will be heard live on BYU Radio.

The Cougar women return nine letterwinners and two starters from a team that compiled a 23-11 record, finished tied for third in the West Coast Conference and competed for the second straight year in the postseason WNIT.

Senior Jennifer Hamson is one of the two returning starters. The 6-foot-7 center averaged 11.2 points and grabbed a team-best 8.8 boards per game. Also back for her final college season is senior guard Kim Beeston. The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 10.5 points and enters the year as the team’s assists leader. She concluded last season ranked 32nd nationally in 3-point field goal percentage.

Back from injuries are sophomore guard Lexi Eaton and junior guard Stephanie Rovetti. Four additional letterwinners bring a lot of playing time and depth to this year’s team. Morgan Bailey and Ashley Garfield played in every game last season. Xojian Harry averaged 15 minutes of playing time while Kylie Maeda came off the bench to relieve Cougar standout Haley Steed at the point guard spot.

Three redshirt freshmen also look to contribute this season. Utahn’s Micaelee Orton, and Makenzi Morrison along with Kristine Fuller who hails from Clearwater, Fla., come in this year ready to play.

Beginning their college careers as Cougars are freshmen Cassie Broadhead, a 5-foot-9 guard from Glenville, N. Y., who prepped at Scotia Glenville High School and Savannah Irwin, a 6-foot-5 center from Carlsbad, Calif., and La Costa Canyon High School.

Cougar fans will have on opportunity to see all of the players in the two exhibition games.

The 2013-14 season officially gets under way on Friday, Nov. 8 when the team hosts first time opponent South Dakota State. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.