A championship won't be on the line tonight when the Utah and BYU women's basketball teams meet at the Huntsman Center at 7 p.m. But there will be a lot riding on the game, especially from BYU's standpoint.
Simply put, if the Cougars don't win, they'll have to face the Utes again in less than a week, in the first round of next week's women's Western Athletic Conference tournament in Albuquerque.The 19-6 Utes have already clinched second place and can assure themselves of another matchup with the Cougars with a victory. BYU, 8-17 overall, is in seventh place at 4-9 in the WAC. But a win could possibly vault the Cougars into sixth or fifth place if UTEP and/or Fresno State lose their final games.
"This has been a frustrating season because we just haven't been able to put it together," said BYU coach Soni Adams. "Elaine (Elliott) has her kids playing great. It will be a tougher game than last time."
When they met six weeks ago, the Utes squeaked out a 77-71 overtime win in Provo as Julie Krommenhoek scored 34 points. But since then the Utes have won nine of 10 games, while BYU has lost seven of 10.
Even though they have second place clinched, the Utes have plenty of motivation for winning, besides the chance to play BYU again next week.
"This game is about 20 wins. This game is about an NCAA bid. This game is about rivalry," said Elliott. "We're looking forward to trying to win 20 games and getting into the NCAA tournament and we're fired up."