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PROVO — What a difference two weeks can make.
Just over two weeks ago, the BYU women's basketball team was coming off a humbling 67-53 road loss to Kansas, when Taiyanna Jackson had a 25-point, 22-rebound double-double and the Jayhawks humbled the Cougars on the glass 47-29.
It was part of a three-game losing streak and a 2-8 start to the program's Big 12 era that ended with a competitive but ultimately fruitless 76-69 loss to No. 23 West Virginia, a loss that prompted head coach Amber Whiting to unload on her team in locker room.
Whiting didn't reveal too much about the postgame meeting, but the coach was visibly frustrated when she met with the media after the loss. Certainly, the team's 23 turnovers were a key sticking point.
But three games later, the Cougars (15-11, 5-8 Big 12) are riding much higher after a shocking 78-66 win over then-No. 18 Baylor and back-to-back road wins over Cincinnati and UCF.
Key to the run has been BYU's "Big 3" in the program's all-time rebounding leader Lauren Gustin and the freshmen backcourt tandem of Amari Whiting and Kailey Woolston.
Gustin has averaged 22.0 points and 17.0 rebounds during the three-game stretch while earning Big 12 player of the week honors, Whiting added 11.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists en route to league freshman of the week, and Woolston shot 19-of-32 from the field for 17.3 points to go along with 5.5 points and 2.6 assists per game during the run.
"I feel like they're learning how to win, and learning how to win in the Big 12 is different than learning how to win in other conferences," the second-year BYU coach said. "The Big 12 is tough, especially when you go on the road and play against these really good teams. We're still really young at the guard line, and as of late, both Amari and Woolston have made some really good decisions."
Whiting pointed to a handful of moments when Amari Whiting (the coach's daughter) forced a steal against Baylor. The Cougars were leading each time, but rather than drive straight to the rim and try to force a shot, the freshman rather pulled up and ran a play out of the half-court offense.
"She understands we don't always need to go fast, but sometimes we just have to use our time correctly and to our benefit," the coach said. "It's just a lot better decision making."
Now as the Cougars prepare to host Kansas (14-10, 7-6 Big 12) as the Jayhawks ride their own four-game win streak, the rematch is personal for Gustin, who was held to 10 points and 10 rebounds inside Allen Fieldhouse.
"It was definitely a rough game for us. Their big girl had a great game. I'm definitely looking forward playing them against on Saturday, especially at our place," Gustin said. "I'm excited to get another chance at them. I think we're going to come out more prepared and ready to go right from the tip."
It's personal for Gustin, but she wasn't the only player who had a rough night in Lawrence, Kansas. The Cougars never led against Kansas, were outscored 36-20 in the paint, and gave the Jayhawks 17 offensive rebounds for 17 second-chance points while shooting just 34.5% from the field and committing 14 turnovers.
"I feel like defensively, we were just being bounced everywhere," Whiting said. "That goes back to asserting our will on defense and offense. I think obviously Jackson was big, but I feel like Lauren is going to take this game very personal. She wants to make a statement herself; she wasn't very happy with herself last time, and she holds herself to a high standard, so I'm excited to see what she can bring."
