BYU Advances to WBIT Championship After Thrilling Comeback Victory Over Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. – The BYU Cougars are heading to the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) Championship game after a nail-biting 70-67 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks on Monday afternoon at Charles Koch Arena. A late-game surge, fueled by stellar performances from Olivia Hamlin and Sydney Benally, propelled the Cougars to their first postseason tournament championship appearance in program history.

Trailing by five points with just 10 minutes remaining, BYU orchestrated a remarkable comeback, outscoring Kansas 24-16 in the fourth quarter. This dramatic shift in momentum secured a hard-fought three-point win for the Cougars.

Hamlin and Benally Lead the Charge

Olivia Hamlin was the driving force behind BYU’s victory, leading all scorers with an impressive 23 points. She showcased her shooting prowess, sinking four 3-pointers and shooting 8-of-12 from the field. Hamlin’s energy and scoring ability were particularly crucial during the fourth-quarter surge, igniting the Cougars’ offense.

Sydney Benally added 15 points to the scoreboard, connecting on four crucial 3-pointers, including back-to-back shots that extended BYU’s lead to 63-56 with 3:49 left in the game. Her clutch shooting proved pivotal in securing the win.

Dominating the Boards and Team Effort

BYU’s dominance on the glass was another key factor in their success, outrebounding Kansas 37-33. Lara Rohkohl anchored the paint with a game-high 14 rebounds and six blocks, while Delaney Gibb contributed with 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, expertly facilitating the offense.

Bolanle Yussuf also made valuable contributions off the bench, adding six points, two rebounds, and two steals.

Game Recap

Kansas started strong with an 8-0 run, but BYU quickly responded with a 9-0 run of their own, sparked by Yussuf and Benally. The first half saw a back-and-forth battle, with the teams entering halftime tied at 31-31 – a season first for BYU.

The third quarter continued the competitive nature of the game, with both teams trading baskets. Kansas managed to take a 51-46 lead into the fourth quarter.

However, the fourth quarter belonged to BYU. Hamlin’s coast-to-coast layup and subsequent 3-pointer ignited the Cougars’ comeback. Benally’s back-to-back 3-pointers further extended their lead, and a crucial layup by Gibb sealed the victory.

Up Next

The 26-11 BYU Cougars will face the 4-seed Columbia in the WBIT Championship game on Wednesday at 5 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2, with Krista Blunk and Tabitha Turner providing commentary. Fans can also tune in on BYU Radio 107.9, byuradio.org, and the BYU Radio App.

ESPN Women’s College Basketball provides comprehensive coverage of the WBIT and other women’s basketball tournaments.

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