Ags lose to Hawaii Thursday
Utah State continued its four-game away schedule with yet another loss, falling 69-42 to the University of Hawaii on Thursday night in Honolulu.
Rebounding stood out for the Aggies, as they out-rebounded the Rainbow Wahine 35-33. It was a fight that kept the Aggies going throughout the game and was also expected when allowing Hawaii to score a 58.7 field-goal percentage, Aggie head coach Raegan Pebley said.
“If we’re going to shoot 26 percent, (we’ve) got to hit the O-boards,” Pebley said in a post-game radio interview. “That was much more of a focus. That helped close that gap a little bit, and I think we did a good job keeping them off the O-boards, but there weren’t a lot of O-boards for them to get.”
Senior forward Jenny Gross led the Aggies with her 15 points. Close behind Gross was junior guard Danyelle Snelgro with 10 points, but the entire roster struggled to keep up with Hawaii’s offense.
Four Hawaii players made their way to double digits on the night, as the guards, sophomore Megan Tinnin and senior Saundra Cariaga, boasted 14 points each. Hawaii also boosted its goal percentage by hitting a huge 63.5 percent from the 3-point line and 71.4 from the free-throw line.
“It was pretty rough,” Pebley said. “We had some nice play, (but) to me it looks like we’re flat on our shots. We’re not quite ready for our shots when those opportunities come, and maybe there is some second guessing on those shots.”
Shooting on the part of Utah State remained unacceptable throughout the game, Pebley said. The team, which constantly puts focus on shooting of all sorts in practice, can do better and remember not to back down, she said.
Utah State takes an overall 6-15 record on the season and 2-7 in the Western Athletic Conference. USU looked to make a quick break to open the game, a feat they have not accomplished in their last few losses, but Hawaii came out and began the game with a solid lead.
“Your scoring is easier and you shoot a better percentage if you can play some better defense and you don’t give up 58, 59 percent,” Pebley said. “You get that field-goal percentage down, and that means rebounds, which means breaks, which means high-percentage shots, layups, post entries.”
Defensive play for the Aggies did not allow for a chance to get ahead, Pebley said. The team must look at the entire Hawaii team and defend – the blame cannot go on one player going 8-of-10, but on all players shooting to their highest potential. This is a team problem, she said.
Hawaii took its early lead and turned it into a 35-16 lead at the end of the opening half. The Aggies made it to within 12 in the second half but could not break down the Rainbow Wahine to take the lead. They would stay at least 18 points behind for the rest of the game.
Following the team’s final games in the travel set on Feb. 14 at San Jose State University, the Aggies will prepare to finish out the regular season. Five games remain until Utah State says goodbye to the three seniors who have led and maintained a high level of performance throughout their time in Aggie blue. Gross and guards Taylor Richards and Jamelah Brown will be absent from next year’s team.
“I watch some of our younger players and see and like a lot of the things that they’re going to be able to bring to this program,” Pebley said. “I think it’s important that we get them experience as much as we can for the future of the program.”
-erin.wadsworth@aggiemail.usu.edu