Opponent: Utah (2-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Date: Monday, Nov. 18
Time: 8 p.m. (CT)
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Stream: ESPN+
Stats
 
 
Opponent: BYU (4-0, Big 12)
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 19
Time: 8 p.m. (CT)
Location: Provo, Utah
Stream: ESPN+
Stats
 

LAKE CHARLES—McNeese women's basketball (3-0), will get their real first test of the season when the Cowgirls head to the state of Utah for two games against two Big 12 teams.
 
The Cowgirls, off to their best start since the 1997-98 season, will begin their week at Utah on Monday, Nov. 18 then will follow that with a game at BYU on Tuesday, Nov. 19.  Both games will have an 8 p.m. (CT) start and both will be streamed on ESPN+.  It will be the first meeting against both teams.
 
Freshman Lyla Kharimanovic is coming off the bench to lead the Cowgirls in scoring (13.3 ppg.) and 6.7 rpg.  Also averaging in double figures is Mireia Yespes (11.7 ppg.), and Azjah Reeves (10.7 ppg.).
 
Utah (2-1), who received votes in the recent USA Today Sports Women's Basketball Coaches Poll, is coming off their first loss of the season, a 71-69 loss at Northwestern last Thursday.  The Utes opened their season with a 105-52 win over Southern Utah then defeated Weber State 86-46 on Nov. 7.
 
Three Utes have been named to several preseason watchlist.  Gianna Kneepkens was named to the  Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Preseason Watchlist and the Cheryl Miller Preseason of the Year Watchlist.  Kneepkens leads the team in scoring (15.7 ppg.)   
 
Inês Vieria was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watchlist  and Jenna Johnson was named to the Katrina McClain Award Preseason Watchlist. Vieria leads the squad with 19 assists and Johnson is third on the team in scoring (12.3 ppg.), and second in rebounds (5.0).
 
Maye' Toure' (14.3 ppg.), Reese Ross (12.0 ppg.), and Kennedy McQueen (10.0 ppg.) are also scoring in double figures.  Ross also leads the team in rebounds with 5.3 per set.  
 
BYU's wins have come against Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado State, and Idaho State.
 
UPCOMING GAMES
Nov. 18 at Utah (8 p.m./CT)
Nov. 19 at BYU (8 p.m./CT)
Nov. 23 Utah Tech (1 p.m.)
Nov. 27 St. Thomas (Tx.) (5:30 p.m.)
Dec. 6 at Shirley Duncan Classic (Farmville, Va.)
Dec. 16 at Oklahoma State
Dec. 21 *Southeastern (1 p.m.)
 
*- SLC Opener