March 9, 2002

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Melanie Pearson scored 15 points, and Brigham Young used a 25-3 run over a span of 10:46 to beat UNLV 61-46 Saturday and win the Mountain West Conference championship.

Jennifer Leitner scored eight of her 12 points during the spurt for the Cougars (22-8), who earn an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament. It was BYU's third straight appearance in the conference championship, but first win in those games.

Constance Jinks scored 19 points and Linda Frohlich had 11 for UNLV (23-7).

Brigham Young's big run started with the game tied 14-14 midway through the first half and ended with 2:26 gone in the second with the Cougars up 39-17. Danielle Cheesman and Pearson added six points each during the spurt.

UNLV was able to cut the margin to 51-41 with 4:58 remaining, but couldn't get any closer. Erin Thorn, the tournament MVP, made a 3-pointer to cut short the rally and put BYU up 54-41 with 4:27 left. Thorn finished with 10 points

The Cougars had beaten the Rebels twice during the regular season, by scores of 72-61 and 64-48.