Gibb's 22 helps BYU women pull past Idaho State for 4-0 start

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PROVO — Delaney Gibb is still not playing like a freshman.

The four-star guard from Raymond, Alberta, scored 15 of her 22 points in the second half — including three of her four 3-point makes — to go along with six rebounds, two assists and a steal to help the BYU women's basketball team pull past Idaho State 77-69 in front of largely pro-BYU crowd of 2,133 fans at Reed Gym in Pocatello, Idaho.

"I knew what type of player she was coming in. I knew she was going to come in and make an immediate impact; that wasn't ever a doubt for me," BYU head coach Amber Whiting told KSL.com of Gibb. "She's just a motor type kid, and gets into it.

Emma Calvert added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Cougars (4-0), who got 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals from Amari Whiting for their second win of the week and first on the road.

Sophia Covello led Idaho State with 19 points, including a 3-pointer to pull the Bengals within 35-33 at halftime.

The Cougars were outshot from the field and from 3-point range, but pulled down 15 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points and scored 13 points off turnovers to hold off the Big Sky foe Bengals (1-3).

But it was Gibb — the reigning Big 12 freshman of the week who is averaging over 20 points per game to start her career — who caught fire after the break, connecting on 3-of-4 3-pointers during a 10-point third quarter, and the Cougars used a 23-14 fourth quarter to pull away for good.

"Yeah, she's a freshman, but she's been put in a position to take care of the ball and lead this team. She's done great," said BYU guard Kemery Martin, who scored 11 for the Cougars, of Gibb. "I know the pieces around her can help out with that. But she's definitely got a smooth game, she's a good playmaker, and she's exactly what we need on the floor."

BYU is back home Tuesday night to host McNeese State. Tipoff from the Marriott Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST on ESPN+.

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Sean Walker

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KSL.com BYU and college sports reporter