Aggies’ season comes to an end in second round of WBI
The USU women’s basketball teamed squared off against the North Texas in the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tuesday night in Denton, Texas. After losing to Wyoming in the Mountain West tournament the Aggies were forced to go on a hiatus from the big dance, but they defeated UC Riverside in the first round of the WBI.
In the first quarter, the Aggies used the mid-range jumper to their advantage as they tallied 14 points to North Texas’ 20. Junior forward Shannon Dufficy led the team with six points, while the Mean Green were led by four points from senior guard Terriel Bradley and sophomore forward Madison Townley. North Texas used two three-pointers in the closing minutes of the opening quarter to take the six point lead.
USU’s junior guard Eliza West got off to a quick start in the second quarter, scoring six of the teams first eight points. Senior guard Rachel Brewster also found her groove in the second, chipping in with six points. Madison Townley was the leading scorer in the first half, finishing with 10 points as well as six rebounds. West went into the break with seven points, four helpers, and one takeaway. The Aggies led 34-33 at the break.
The third quarter was much like the first and the second, a very back-and-forth affair in which neither team held a lead larger than four. Dufficy connected twice from deep in the quarter to push the Aggies to a four point lead each time. However, they were not able to get an extra stop in order to extend the cushion heading into the final period. Going into the fourth the Aggies led 48-47, thanks to a last second jumper by sophomore guard Emmie Harris.
To say that the fourth quarter was an offensive struggle would be a massive understatement. The quarter only saw a combined total of 15 points and five total field goals. North Texas opened the quarter with a layup from sophomore forward Deja Terrell, the Aggies responded with a layup of their own, courtesy of Dufficy. Senior center Deja Mason answered the call for the Aggies a few possessions later with a jumper that gave them a three point lead. The jumper came with 7:20 left in the final quarter, little did the Aggies know, that would be the last field goal they saw drop.
North Texas scored the next five points to take the lead by two. The following possession, two free throws from Shannon Dufficy would tie the game 54-all. In the final 5:20 the Aggies would go 0-of-6 from the field and 0-of-2 from the free throw line. North Texas only scored one more time the whole quarter, netting what would be the game winning layup with 3:31 left.
The final score read 56-54 North Texas.
Shannon Dufficy led the game in total points, scoring 19 and pulling down nine rebounds. Both teams shot below 60% from the line, leaving the door opening for the Aggies but they were simply unable to capitalize.
This loss marked an exit from the WBI tournament and the end of the season for the Aggies. Utah State wrapped up the year with an overall record of 17-16, and a conference record of 10-8 to finish tied for fifth in the Mountain West Conference.