PROVO, Utah—BYU picked up its defensive intensity and outscored McNeese 44-29 in the second half in its 85-64 win Tuesday night to remain undefeated at 5-0 on the season.  The loss drops McNeese to 3-2 on the season.  The Cowgirls will return home Saturday to host Utah Tech.  Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
McNeese shot the ball extremely well in the first quarter, 53.3 percent from the field and 80 percent from three-point range, connecting on 4 of 5 from behind the arc and trailed by only one point, 22-21.
 
BYU opened the game by taking a 13-7 lead but eight straight points by the Cowgirls gave them their first lead (15-13) of the game.  McNeese held its largest lead of the game (20-15) late in the first quarter.
 
The Cougars opened the second half on a 6-2 run and outscored the Cowgirls 23-14 in the third quarter to lead 64-59.  BYU would go onto outscore McNeese 21-15 in the final period to pick up the win.
 
McNeese's Kiayra Ellis led all players with a game high 20 points.  Ellis ended the game on 7 of 11 from the field including all five attempts from behind the arc.  Kyla Davis chipped in with 11 points with nine coming from three 3-pointers.  Mireia Yespes was the other Cowgirl to score in double figures with 10 points.
 
BYU placed five players in double figure scoring.  Emma Calvert and Delaney Gibb led the Cougars with 18 points apiece.  Aman Whiting, Kemery Congdon, and Brinley Cannon all finished with 11 apiece.
 
GAME NOTES
• Bothe teams ended the game with 10 three-pointers made apiece
• McNeese shot 37.1 percent from the field and BYU shot 50.8 percent from the field for the game
• McNeese shot 80.0 percent from three-point range (4 of 5) in the first quarter. Kiayra Ellis and Kyla Davis both had two threes  apiece in the first quarter
• BYU led 22-21 after the first quarter
• BYU opened the second quarter on a 6-2 run to take a five-point lead
• McNeese scored the next nine points to take a 32-28 lead
• BYU ended the first half on a 13-3 run to lead 41-35 at the half
• McNeese made seven first half three-pointer and the Cowgirls defense caused BYU to turn the ball over eight times
• Ellis led McNeese with 15 first half points on 5 of 7 from the field including 4 of 4 from three-point range.
• BYU outscored McNeese 23-14 in the third quarter to lead 64-59
• BYU held its largest lead of the game, 25 points with 2:16 left in the game
• BYU scored 25 fast break points and scored 42 points in the paint
• McNeese scored one fast break point and 16 points in the paint
• BYU outrebounded McNeese 42-32
• Kiayra Ellis led all players with 20 points.  Ellis was 7 of 11 from the field including 5 of 5 from three-point range.
• Kyla Davis scored 11 points with nine points coming off three 3-pointers
• Mireia Yespes added 10 points
• Ty Williams led McNeese with five assists while Azjah Reeves was credited with four