Aggies fall to the Broncos, 85-49, Ard coaches final game.
LAS VEGAS – Kayla Ard coached her final game for the Utah State University women’s basketball team after a loss to Boise State, 85-49.
The game took place Sunday night in the Thomas and Mack Center during the first round of the 2024 Mountain West Women’s Basketball Championship.
“I just coached my last game at Utah State,” Ard said.
The news comes after the Aggie’s season ended with a record of 5-25, ranking dead last in the Mountain West Conference. Ard said she was disappointed with the results.
“We appreciate everything Kayla and her staff have contributed to Utah State,” said Athletic Director Diana Sabau. “However, it is in the best interest of the program to make a change.”
USU Women’s Basketball In The Mountain West Tournament
This is the second straight year that the Broncos and Aggies have met as the No. 6 and No. 11 seeds, respectively.
At the beginning of the game, the Broncos won the tip-off and scored on their first possession.
The Aggies ran a 2-3 defense, while the Broncos had a 3-2, which gave them trouble feeding Gracie Johnson.
Gordy Presnell called a timeout at 4:42 left in the first half with a score of 34-14 in favor of the Broncos.
The Broncos dominated the Aggies in rebounds, entering the second half at 38-18.
The Broncos pulled away from the Aggies with two minutes left in the third quarter with a score of 56-24.
Cheyenne Stubbs got a three-point play off an and-one. Then, as the Broncos were bringing the ball down, she got a steal and drew another shooting foul. She made both to make five points in two plays. On the next Aggie possession after that, she made a three-pointer to make a total of eight points within a minute.
“I came in here with a chip on my shoulder,” Stubbs said.
Ard called a timeout and didn’t join the team’s huddle. Rather, she spoke with her staff.
Ard chose to have a full-court press with a minute and a half left in the game.
The Aggies lost to the Broncos 85-49.
Throughout the game, both teams’ pep bands acted as the cheering section, taking turns taunting each opponent on the line.
Stubbs, who ended the game with 21 points, was crying during the press conference.
She currently has 461 career points, passing Jennifer Schlott (2012-13) and Ashlee Brown (2010-11) to move into 10th all-time at Utah State.
When asked about what she looked forward to for her senior season, Stubbs said, “Off-season, getting better, stronger.”
Coach Ard coached for four seasons with the Aggies, going 24-90 in total and 10-62 in the Mountain West.
The Athletics Department will begin searching immediately for USU’s next head women’s basketball coach.
“Tonight’s game, and the entire season, didn’t go the way we wanted it to go,” Ard said. “We have some great young ladies here, and I appreciate everything they gave me. I know they tried hard to play for me tonight.”