Aggies fall to Cowgirls on Senior night

The Utah State women’s basketball team lost the final home game of the year 61-57 to Wyoming on Tuesday.

“It was a really good effort,” said USU head coach Jerry Finkbeiner. “Especially considering five weeks ago we played at their place and lost by about 35. I thought the difference in the game was we only had six fast break points. We just couldn’t get out and get a break.”

After trailing the entire second half, USU cut the deficit to two on a Funda Nakkasoglu layup with one minute to play. Wyoming’s Jordan Kelley promptly responded with a clutch 3-pointer at the other end to give the Cowgirls a 59-54 advantage.

Nakkasoglu scored and was fouled on a drive through the lane. She made the foul shot but it wasn’t enough. Wyoming senior forward Kayla Woodward hit both her foul shots after an intentional Utah State foul to ice the game.

“You have to credit Wyoming,” Finkbeiner said. “Because of the pace of the game, we were never in our comfort zone. Offensively we were really challenged tonight.”

On senior night, the Aggies were led by freshman point guard Nakkasoglu. She had 23 points and seven assists in 39 minutes of action. The four seniors on the team, Franny Vaaulu, Ingrida Strikas, Elise Nelson, and Jasmine Porter, combined for 13 points and snatched 25 of the teams 47 rebounds.

“They were told to bring it,” said Nakkasoglu about the Utah State seniors. “It was their last night in the Spectrum. Have no regrets and leave everything on the court. I feel like they did that. I think they brought all they could to the game tonight.”

It was a team effort by Wyoming who had four players in double figures, and every player who saw time in the game scored. Woodward led her team with 15 points and 12 rebounds. She was followed by Marquelle Dent and Kelley, who had 12 points each.

Utah State has one more game at Colorado State on Friday before the Mountain West tournament begins Monday in Las Vegas.

“We’re not going to forget this game,” Nakkasoglu said. “We’re going to build on it and incorporate it into the Colorado State game. I think we have a really good chance against them, and we’re going to prove it to everyone.”

— kalen.s.taylor@gmail.com

Twitter @kalen_taylor