Starting the season off right
The women’s basketball game ended in celebration Friday, Nov. 10, as the Aggies defeated the Division-II Mesa State Mavericks 77-38 in their final exhibition game.
The Aggies kept up their energy throughout the entire game, hardly allowing Mesa State to get a shot in. The Mavericks shot a 25.9 field goal percentage to USU’s 47.6 percent.
A score of 21-4 was reached in the first half with 13:36 remaining. At the half, the Aggies led 42-15. Head Coach Raegan Pebley said she was mostly pleased with the Aggie defense, but not impressed with free-throws or rebounds.
“Our best play in the first half was our defensive ball pressure,” said Pebley. “When they didn’t get a shot attempt, it created good break situations for us.”
A defense change-up is something the team hopes to improve on as the season moves forward, Pebley said. Last year, the defensive strategy was to keep the opposing team in front of them. This year it’s more get-in-their-face defense, said junior guard Taylor Richards.
“One of our focuses is defense,” said Richards, “more pressure.”
The second half went off without a struggle for the Aggies after beginning with a 27-point advantage. Sophomore guard Danyelle Snelgro topped the Aggie list in field goals with 14 points, matching her scoring total from the first exhibition game against the Utah Pride.
Freshman Sharvelle Hurd aided the team with nine rebounds and three blocks throughout the game. Sophomore forward Lindsey Freeze hit double digits with 10 points, along with Richards who brought in 11 field goals. Out of 13 players on the team roster, 11 scored points contributing to the overall total.
“It’s the momentum we need going into the season,” said Snelgro. “It’s just a confidence booster like crazy; we’re just going to use it.”
Winning exhibition games is something the Aggies failed to do last year. Pebley said she hopes giving the team a new focus on both defense and offense will help them improve as they move into regular season play.
“One thing that we want out of this year is to be better than last year,” said Pebley, “and already we’re showing we’re better than last year.”
Next up for these Aggies is a trip to Orem, Utah, to face off against the Utah Valley State College Wolverines. The match-up will be the official season opener for the Aggies. UVSC started off their season with an exhibition game win of 87-67 against Dixie State, and a 101-82 defeat of Mesa State.
Despite playing in a different arena for their season starter, the Aggies plan to remain confident in their play, said Snelgro.
“We’re not going to get caught up in who’s the home team,” said Snelgro. “We’re just going to come out and play Utah State basketball.”
Following the UVSC game, the Aggies will return to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum to host Idaho State on Nov. 17 and Weber State on Nov. 21. Both games will begin at 7 p.m.
-eawads@cc.usu.edu