<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Soapbox Archives - The Utah Statesman</title> <atom:link href="https://usustatesman.com/category/opinion/soap-box/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://usustatesman.com/category/opinion/soap-box/</link> <description>USU's Student Newspaper</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 Jan 2025 22:09:37 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <image> <url>https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cropped-screen-shot-2017-10-19-at-4.33.29-pm-32x32.png</url> <title>Soapbox Archives - The Utah Statesman</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/category/opinion/soap-box/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Building bridges with Unified Sports</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/building-bridges-with-unified-sports/</link> <comments>https://usustatesman.com/building-bridges-with-unified-sports/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rain Schenck]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:30:43 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Club Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital Paper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[athletes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[backetball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[community]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Esser]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Liv Schneider]]></category> <category><![CDATA[McKell Esser]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[support]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Unified Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[volunteering]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22133178</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Inclusion for athletes with disabilities begins in the community level. Right here in Logan, over 30 athletes compete on Unified…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/building-bridges-with-unified-sports/">Building bridges with Unified Sports</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="auto">Inclusion for athletes with disabilities begins in the community level. Right here in Logan, over 30 athletes compete on Unified Sports teams under the Special Olympics program. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The athletes’s coach McKell Esser advocates for their right to inclusion, competition and space for them to feel a community connection within the sports world. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“They just have so much fun,” Esser said. “It’s really important to them in their lives. They look forward to each season.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The joy and excitement in these competitors’s lives doesn’t come from simply playing a sport with a ball — it comes from competing alongside volunteers, known as Unified partners.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“We have the partners come to really develop relationships with the athletes,” said Liv Schneider, head of the Unified Sports program at Utah State University. “It’s a way for them to be with other college students.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Without Unified partners, these athletes can’t be placed on Unified teams eligible for competition. It’s not an easy ask on their fellow peers, according to Schneider. Typical volunteers are college students donating an hour and a half of their time per week to coach these athletes and play alongside them. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Although some college students are committed to playing with these athletes, Esser said they “always need more.” Specifically, they need more volunteers to support these Unified athletes as they gear up for their upcoming basketball season. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Beginning Jan. 29, the teams will begin weekly practice until the end of March. They’ll kick it off with a competition held at Weber State University and face off against other northern Utah teams. </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Shortly after, the athletes will face teams all over the state for a two-day tournament held in Salt Lake City. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The Unified athletes represent a wide array of abilities, ages and demographics. Athletes can start the program as young as eight and play until they’re 40 years old. Filling the gaps of meeting their needs while challenging their skills is a difficult task that relies on understanding the diversity of the athletes, according to Esser. Difficult, yet something she would consider worth it in order to see these athletes “learn and create.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">To better identify their needs, athletes are assessed based on their individual abilities. They are then organized into teams that match their skill level. When competition time comes, these athletes play teams with similar assessment scores, offering an opportunity to stretch their skills. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Utah State offers Unified athletes a space to practice, equipment and volunteers to meet the community responsibility of including these athletes. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Offering space is the first step to including athletes with disabilities in the community, but the shared responsibility to show up for these individuals and be their partners is what coach Esser deems as most valuable.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“That’s been my hardest thing,” Esser said. “We need more partners.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">With over 20,000 students at the Logan campus, the struggle to find committed volunteers underscores a gap in awareness and involvement from the community.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“You know, a lot of them have a harder time being able to get out into the community,” Esser said, speaking of the Unified athletes. “This is one way that they can do it.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The difference volunteers make doesn’t go unnoticed by Esser, the athletes or the support system behind these individuals. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Students and community members can sign up to volunteer as a partner who plays with these athletes or as a coach, both of which Esser said are always needed and welcomed.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“I think being part of a team is one of the greatest things you can do,” Schneider said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Offering the opportunity to compete connects these athletes with a space where they can feel seen, connect and compete — a space where volunteers can develop a deeper understanding of fellow community members and a memorable friendship.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Willing individuals who would like to sign up as volunteers for Unified Sports can contact Liv Schneider </span><a href="mailto:liv.grosz@usu.edu"><span data-contrast="none">liv.grosz@usu.edu</span></a><span data-contrast="none">. </span><span data-contrast="auto">For more information on how to sign up as a volunteer check out the Unified Sports webpage: </span><a href="http://www.usu.edu/campusrec/competitive-sports/unified-sports"><span data-contrast="none">usu.edu/campusrec/competitive-sports/unified-sports</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/building-bridges-with-unified-sports/">Building bridges with Unified Sports</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://usustatesman.com/building-bridges-with-unified-sports/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Women’s basketball road recap: Coach Brooks preaches pace and efficiency</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/womens-basketball-road-recap-coach-brooks-preaches-pace-and-efficiency/</link> <comments>https://usustatesman.com/womens-basketball-road-recap-coach-brooks-preaches-pace-and-efficiency/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carson Frost]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 18 Jan 2025 21:01:33 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital Paper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Basketball]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22133237</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Amidst a 14-game losing streak, injuries and rotation adjustments, the Aggies return from their two-game road trip facing significant challenges. …</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/womens-basketball-road-recap-coach-brooks-preaches-pace-and-efficiency/">Women’s basketball road recap: Coach Brooks preaches pace and efficiency</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Amidst a 14-game losing streak, injuries and rotation adjustments, the Aggies return from their two-game road trip facing significant challenges. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The team opened their road trip on Jan. 11 with a game against the Nevada Wolf Pack, a team ranked in the lower half of the Mountain West standings. Utah State trailed for most of the game but managed to narrow the deficit to three points late in the fourth quarter. However, costly turnovers and second-chance points from offensive rebounds sealed their fate as Nevada secured a 78-69 victory.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Guard Mia Tarver had her best offensive performance of the season against the Wolf Pack, dropping 19 points on 6-12 shooting off the bench. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a team, the Aggies delivered one of their stronger shooting performances of the season, finishing 44% from the field. However, Nevada dominated at the free-throw line, converting 18 of 22 attempts compared to the Aggies’ 9 of 14.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The second game took place at the Save Mart Center against the Fresno State Bulldogs, a middle-of-the-pack team in the Mountain West. After a tightly contested first quarter, the Bulldogs took control and dominated the rest of the way, securing a 74-54 win.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fresno State torched the Aggies both inside and out, hitting 9 of 20 three-pointers while scoring 34 points in the paint. Early in the game, Utah State’s zone defense effectively forced the Bulldogs into bad passes and poor shot selections. However, as the game progressed, Fresno State adjusted to the Aggies’ fast-paced style, moving the ball efficiently, making the extra pass and capitalizing on open corner threes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We need to play a little bit faster,” head coach Wesley Brooks said following the team’s practice on Friday. “We’ve slowed down since conference play, so now we’re fifth in pace of play. We want to always be first.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A key factor in the Aggies slowing down has been the lack of rebounding from their bigs. Brooks has been rotating between Karlie Banks, Gracie Johnson and Sophie Sene in search of a center who can reliably handle the bulk of minutes at the position. Each of those three have struggled to secure rebounds and contribute on offense.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I told them, ‘You guys are battling,’” Brooks said. “If you’re playing and not grabbing rebounds as a big, it’s a problem. If you’re playing, and you can’t make a simple layup, it’s a problem.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Figuring out the big rotation could hopefully help with the team’s defensive woes. In their first five games against conference opponents, the Aggies have allowed teams to shoot 47% from the field and 40% from three — both figures that spell trouble.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If they can improve on missed rotations in the zone and secure more rebounds, Utah State could see greater success down the road. Their perimeter offense in conference play has been much improved. In the last five games, the team has shot 39% from the field and 31% from three. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From day one, Brooks aimed for his team to lead the conference in three-point shooting, but the Aggies have recently found success driving to the paint and hitting mid-range shots.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We want to get to the rim, we want to make threes, but for what we have on our team, we also have to kind of play to what they can do,” Brooks said. “We have kids that can hit the elbow jumpers and hit those two-point shots.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another bright spot has been the recent play of freshman guard Carlie Latta. Latta has earned the trust in becoming one of Brooks’ most reliable playmakers, and her stats in conference play have been incredibly efficient.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the last five games, Latta’s ranked second on the team with 13.4 points per game, and her shooting splits of 53/44/100 are the best on the team during that stretch.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She’s been phenomenal,” Brooks said. “She naturally has a good IQ of the game, can play a little point, can move off the ball, can score. We have to continue to just develop her and help her get better defensively.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Latta, soft-spoken yet intensely confident, feels as though she is starting to find her role on the team.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve been getting in the gym and working on my shot,” Latta said. “One of my roles is to be more aggressive and to be more of a facilitator and shoot the ball more, so I’ve tried to take on that role. My teammates have been great at finding me and getting me shots.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another scorer who has shown recent improvement on the Aggies’ offense is guard Cheyenne Stubbs, as would be expected from a 1,000-point career scorer. Stubbs is averaging 18.0 points per game in conference play, shooting 42% from the field and 35% from three. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brooks has been pleased with Stubbs’ recent performances, but he wants her to become a more consistent scorer moving forward.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Cheyenne can dominate the ball, so what we want to do with her is just get her more efficient,” Brooks said. “When she’s not efficient, we’re not good.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Utah State will have a chance to bounce back from their losses when they play San Diego State at the Spectrum on Jan. 18. Tarver will be out with a lower-leg injury but is expected to return within the next few days.</span></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/womens-basketball-road-recap-coach-brooks-preaches-pace-and-efficiency/">Women’s basketball road recap: Coach Brooks preaches pace and efficiency</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://usustatesman.com/womens-basketball-road-recap-coach-brooks-preaches-pace-and-efficiency/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Utah State defeats Boise State in a nail-biting finish</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/utah-state-defeats-boise-state-in-a-nail-biting-finish/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kelly Winter]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 12 Jan 2025 13:30:33 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital Paper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gallery]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Men's Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Spring Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[State]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132911</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Utah State defeated Boise State in the last few seconds of the game on January 11 at the Spectrum. Finals…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/utah-state-defeats-boise-state-in-a-nail-biting-finish/">Utah State defeats Boise State in a nail-biting finish</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Utah State defeated Boise State in the last few seconds of the game on January 11 at the Spectrum.</p> <p>Finals score: USU 81 – BSU 79</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/utah-state-defeats-boise-state-in-a-nail-biting-finish/">Utah State defeats Boise State in a nail-biting finish</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Martinez’s heroic four-point play lifts Utah State to late victory</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/martinezs-heroic-four-point-play-lifts-utah-state-to-late-victory/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Greenwood]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 12 Jan 2025 05:35:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital Paper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Men's Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[State]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132908</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>LOGAN, UT – With 15 seconds left and Utah State up by one, Boise State’s Alvaro Cardenas pulled and hit…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/martinezs-heroic-four-point-play-lifts-utah-state-to-late-victory/">Martinez’s heroic four-point play lifts Utah State to late victory</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>LOGAN, UT – With 15 seconds left and Utah State up by one, Boise State’s Alvaro Cardenas pulled and hit a gut-punch of a three-pointer to give his Broncos a two-point lead. Boise State had been hot from beyond the arc all night, and it looked as if they were going to close out a win on one last three-pronged dagger.</p> <p>The Aggies quickly inbounded the ball and brought it up the floor before calling a timeout with nine seconds, down by two. Out of the timeout, it was Drake Allen to inbound with plenty of time to get a look at the rim to tie, or to go for the knockout in the form of a three.</p> <p>Allen opted for the latter, inbounding the ball to Ian Martinez who pulled up, got the three off, and was fouled. With Martinez lying on the floor and the entire arena seemingly holding its breath, the ball took its sweet time bouncing around the rim before finally falling through. The sold-out Spectrum crowd of 10,270 erupted as the Aggies took back a two-point lead after Martinez’s made free throw.</p> <p>The Broncos had just over seven seconds to get their final shot off, a Cardenas three that missed the mark lifting Utah State to their fifth straight win over Boise State.</p> <p>“It felt like forever. I was just there on the ground, just watching it, hoping it went in,” said Martinez after the game. “It bounced about five times on the rim. It was crazy. I couldn’t believe it.”</p> <p>“I mean, this is a team in every sense, and it’s fun to be a part of,” said head coach Jerrod Calhoun after the game. “And you know, we’re going to look back on this as one of those really, really big moments inside the Spectrum.”</p> <p>The first half was a dog fight, with each squad getting out to a hot start. The Broncos opened the game hitting five of their first seven shots, and the Aggies hitting seven of their first nine at the first media timeout with 13:33 remaining.</p> <p>Coming out of the timeout, the Aggies had a two-point lead, 16-14, and had led for most of the first half. Five quick BSU points gave them a three-point lead that Allen quickly erased with a three-pointer of his own, tying the game at 19. The first 10 minutes of the game saw four ties and five lead changes as the two teams battled back and forth.</p> <p>With the game tied at 19, the Broncos went on an 8-2 run to put them ahead. Boise State shot the ball well in the first half, but they seemingly could not miss from three. They connected on six of their first seven shots from deep, helping them get the lead.</p> <p>After two straight games where Utah State opponents have shot the lights out, coach Calhoun agrees there might be something to adjust.</p> <p>“Yeah, it’s something that I and Coach Haut are going to get in here tomorrow and figure out, to be honest with you,” Calhoun said. “It’s basketball. It’s a game of numbers. Sometimes you play the numbers game, and they don’t work out.”</p> <p>Finding themselves down six, the Aggies didn’t panic and battled for the rest of the half. USU trimmed the deficit to just one on four occasions but was unable to take the lead back. Similarly, Boise State’s lead never grew to more than six, making for an action-packed first half. The Broncos held on to the lead into the break, leading 38-34.</p> <p>Boise State came out of the locker room firing, quickly rattling off nine unanswered points, giving them a 13-point lead before Calhoun called a timeout.</p> <p>“I wanted to make sure what I was saying was direct, not over the top. I think you can kill guys’ confidence … but we just had to buckle down. We had to make better decisions with the ball. We had to make better decisions on defense,” Calhoun said. “But everybody was positive in the huddle they really were. And I think that goes a long way.”</p> <p>After falling behind 47-34 just over two minutes into the half, the Aggies started methodically chipping away at the Broncos’ lead. USU battled for the next eight minutes to get back into the game. With his squad trailing 60-54 with just over ten minutes left in the game, Dexter Akkano scored five straight for the Aggies to pull them within one.</p> <p>The Broncos responded accordingly, knocking down a few shots to give them some breathing room. The Aggies weren’t finished though and scored another six unanswered to take their first lead of the second half, 65-64.</p> <p>Boise State did not go quietly into the night but continued to punch back down the stretch. Finding themselves down two with four minutes left, the Broncos went on a 6-0 run to pull out to a late four-point lead. The Aggies eventually re-took the lead with 30 seconds left before Cardenas hit his late three just before Martinez’s heroics.</p> <p>As they have done so many times this year, Utah State again dug themselves out of a deficit before ultimately pulling out the win. After Boise State’s hot shooting, the Aggies answered with a hot hand of their own in the second half shooting 80% from the field and hitting seven of eight three-point attempts.</p> <p>“I think it’s just kind of what Utah State does, even taking us back to last year. A lot of times towards the end where the game was really close and we were just able to close out the game,” Martinez said. “So, it doesn’t matter who’s coaching the team, who’s playing, I feel like it is just kind of part of the culture … we’re just tough, and we’re just going to try to win the game, do whatever it takes to win the game.”</p> <p>The Aggies certainly did that tonight, despite tonight’s game not being their best in many regards. Boise State hit a total of 14 threes, out-rebounded USU, and had more points off turnovers than USU, all of which are uncharacteristic for the Aggie defense. Additionally, Utah State shot just 45% from the free-throw line while not recording a single steal.</p> <p>Nonetheless, they yet again found a way to get the job done, moving to 6-0 in conference play and an impressive 16-1 record overall.</p> <p>“The reason we’re whatever we are, 16 and one, is not only all the games we’ve won close but just the closeness of the team,” said Calhoun after the game. “And that makes a big difference in today’s college landscape.”</p> <p>Utah State will look to continue its six-game winning streak on Wednesday on the road against UNLV.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/martinezs-heroic-four-point-play-lifts-utah-state-to-late-victory/">Martinez’s heroic four-point play lifts Utah State to late victory</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Aggies Compete Against SUU Gymnastics</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/aggies-compete-against-suu-gymnastics/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Burton]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 11 Jan 2025 21:29:37 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital Paper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gymnastics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Spring Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[aggie gymnastics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[USU Gymnastics]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132879</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>USU has a final score of 194.150, made up of 48.875 on vault, 48.450 on bars, 48.775 on beam and…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-compete-against-suu-gymnastics/">Aggies Compete Against SUU Gymnastics</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>USU has a final score of 194.150, made up of 48.875 on vault, 48.450 on bars, 48.775 on beam and 48.050 on floor. SUU has a final score of 195.000, consisting of 48.950 on vault, 48.350 on bars, 48.975 on beam and 48.725 on floor.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-compete-against-suu-gymnastics/">Aggies Compete Against SUU Gymnastics</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Women’s basketball remains hopeful despite another tough loss</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/womens-basketball-remains-hopeful-despite-another-tough-loss/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carson Frost]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 Jan 2025 02:26:14 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital Paper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Basketball]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132821</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Some things change, some things stay the same. On Wednesday night, the result of the Aggies women’s basketball game felt…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/womens-basketball-remains-hopeful-despite-another-tough-loss/">Women’s basketball remains hopeful despite another tough loss</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some things change, some things stay the same. On Wednesday night, the result of the Aggies women’s basketball game felt all too familiar: an 82-77 loss to Boise State. It marked their fourteenth loss in 15 games this season, leaving them stuck at the bottom of the Mountain West standings. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yet, a sense of change is beginning to emerge within the Aggie locker room. While many teams might have given up after enduring weeks of relentless disappointment, head coach Wesley Brooks offered words of encouragement during the postgame press conference.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Very proud of our effort,” Coach Brooks said. “A lot of good things. We’re getting better.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although the Aggies struggled with consistency over the full 40 minutes, they showed flashes of success on both sides of the ball. Guard Cheyenne Stubbs, who is consistently the team’s offensive leader, erupted for 12 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter, propelling the Aggies to outscore the Broncos 28-19 in the final period. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, Utah State might have secured the win had it not been for two significant scoring runs they allowed to Boise State. In the first quarter, after Utah State scored the opening basket, Boise State responded with a 12-0 run, establishing a 10-point lead. Later, in the third quarter, the Broncos ended the period with a 9-0 run, extending their lead to 60-45.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whenever the Aggies found themselves trailing and felt the urgency to rally, they responded with intense ball pressure and an aggressive offensive mindset. However, just as they closed the gap, a missed defensive rotation would result in an open three-pointer for the Broncos, or their offense would stagnate, leading to difficult, low-percentage shots.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If [Boise State] doesn’t have those runs, we win the game tonight,” Coach Brooks said. “We have to be grittier defensively. We had a couple balls they just took out of our hands, and we had a couple of fifty-fifty balls that we didn’t pick up off the floor.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At this point, the stats—shooting percentages, assists, turnovers, and defensive metrics—speak for themselves. Early in the season, the Aggies struggled to make shots, turned the ball over frequently, and were dominated on the boards. All of those numbers have steadily improved as the season has progressed, simply because the team’s talent all but ensured they would eventually break out of their early slump.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instead of focusing on the statistics as the cause of his team’s struggles, Coach Brooks is emphasizing a quality he hopes to instill in his players—hustle, a trait that can’t be measured by numbers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That comes with maturity and growth, and we’ll do a better job,” Coach Brooks said, referring to his team’s aggressiveness and hustle. “I’ll do a better job of leading that. I’ll do a better job of teaching that.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many of the players on the team have demonstrated their ability to play with that sense of urgency, but the consistency hasn’t been there. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prior to the aforementioned 4th quarter explosion from Stubbs, she was having a quiet offensive showing, often standing motionless in the corner, which reflected in the team’s stagnant possessions on offense. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Center Gracie Johnson was protecting the rim perfectly on defense, recording three blocks in just 15 minutes of play, but her lack of discipline led her to foul out in short notice.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No one on the court embodied the hustle and tenacity Coach Brooks was searching for more than guard Mia Tarver. Tarver’s 14 points are the second-highest in any game this season, but it was her three steals and eight free throw attempts that helped invigorate the team’s comeback.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tarver’s minutes off the bench instantaneously helped the team play faster thanks to her suffocating ball pressure on defense and kamikaze-style drives to the basket, colliding with defenders at full speed to earn trips to the free-throw line. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My energy spreads throughout my whole team,” Tarver said. “If I don’t have energy, the whole team’s not gonna have energy.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s rare for a loss at the college level to inspire so much hope for the future, but for a team that has faced significant struggles and disappointment, their ability to stay competitive and resilient signals a step in the right direction.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think people think we’re gonna go away, and we don’t go away,” Coach Brooks said. “We’re never going away. We are developing a relentlessness.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Aggies will have a chance to put that relentlessness to the test on their upcoming road trip when they play Nevada on Jan. 11 and Fresno State on Jan. 15. </span></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/womens-basketball-remains-hopeful-despite-another-tough-loss/">Women’s basketball remains hopeful despite another tough loss</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Aggies Challenge Boise State in Women’s Basketball</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/aggies-challenge-boise-state-in-womens-basketball/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Burton]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jan 2025 05:11:55 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital Paper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aggie basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aggie women's basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Boise State women's basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Utah State women's basketball]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132791</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Utah State Women’s Basketball trails behind the Broncos all game, and both teams are fighting strong. Boise State wins the…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-challenge-boise-state-in-womens-basketball/">Aggies Challenge Boise State in Women’s Basketball</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Utah State Women’s Basketball trails behind the Broncos all game, and both teams are fighting strong. Boise State wins the game with a final score of 82-77.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-challenge-boise-state-in-womens-basketball/">Aggies Challenge Boise State in Women’s Basketball</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Aggies survive Spartan Shootout, win 85-78</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/aggies-survive-spartan-shootout-win-85-78/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Greenwood]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jan 2025 05:28:39 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital Paper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Men's Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[State]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132763</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>SAN JOSE, CA – Utah State men’s basketball stayed undefeated in conference play after picking up a seven-point win over…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-survive-spartan-shootout-win-85-78/">Aggies survive Spartan Shootout, win 85-78</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>SAN JOSE, CA – Utah State men’s basketball stayed undefeated in conference play after picking up a seven-point win over San Jose State. The Spartans shot the lights out throughout the game, but in the end, the Aggies were too much for the home team.</p> <p>“It was pretty much a big challenge. First of all, I just want to tip my hat to them. They came out and played a great basketball game,” said guard Deyton Albury. Albury had 13 points for Utah State, one of five Aggies to score double digits on the night.</p> <p>Both teams jumped out to a hot start shooting, each hitting on four of their first five three-point attempts. The Spartans kept pace with the Aggies through the first eight minutes, trailing by just one point with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Utah State took control of the game at that point, going on a 10-0 to jump out to a 31-20 lead.</p> <p>San Jose State battled through the first half even after the USU run, pulling within three late in the half. Seven straight points from Mason Falslev extended the lead back out to 10 for the Aggies. The half ended with Utah State up by nine, 45-36.</p> <p>“Nobody panicked at halftime. I think we all thought we could have played better. It got to two or three. Nobody panicked, coaches included, and we got it done together,” said head coach Jerrod Calhoun. “And that’s what this group has done all season so far.”</p> <p>The Spartans relied heavily on the three-point shot in the first half to keep the scoring close. They attempted 16 threes in the first half, connecting on seven of them. When they closed the gap on the Aggies, it was four made baskets in a row, three of them from beyond the arc, that made it possible.</p> <p>San Jose State came out of the break ready for more and was able to keep it close throughout the half. While the Aggies never trailed in the second half, they never led by more than nine. The Spartans were even able to tie the game at 69 with just over six minutes left in the game.</p> <p>Utah State responded accordingly after being tied, going on a 7-0 run to take back the lead. San Jose State was able to keep it close by again relying on the deep shot. The Spartans were on fire to start the second half, making seven of their first nine three-point attempts in the last period. The Aggies were able to keep them at bay just enough that, when they cooled, USU could pull away.</p> <p>“Obviously, they’ve got some firepower. You know, I thought they shot the ball as good as any team we’ve played,” said Calhoun. “I thought our effort actually was pretty good. They just made really, really good shots … if you’re 15 and one or not, you’re going to get everybody’s best shot. And I thought certainly tonight we did.”</p> <p>With Tuesday’s win, Utah State moves to 15-1 on the season and 5-0 in conference play. The Aggies come back home for a showdown with the Boise State Broncos on Saturday night in the Spectrum.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-survive-spartan-shootout-win-85-78/">Aggies survive Spartan Shootout, win 85-78</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Aggies Fend Off Bulldogs in 89-83 Win</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/aggies-fend-off-bulldogs-in-89-83-win/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dane Johnson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2025 01:00:54 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gallery]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Men's Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[State]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aggie basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fresno State Bulldogs]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132733</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The Utah State University men’s basketball team came back to beat the Fresno State Bulldogs 89-83 in the Dee Glen…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-fend-off-bulldogs-in-89-83-win/">Aggies Fend Off Bulldogs in 89-83 Win</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Utah State University men’s basketball team came back to beat the Fresno State Bulldogs 89-83 in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum after a 3-point deficit at halftime on January 4, 2025.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-fend-off-bulldogs-in-89-83-win/">Aggies Fend Off Bulldogs in 89-83 Win</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Aggies overcome early deficit, surge to a tight win over Fresno State</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/aggies-overcome-early-deficit-surge-to-a-tight-win-over-fresno-state/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Greenwood]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:29:59 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital Paper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humans of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Men's Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Our View]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soapbox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[State]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[allen]]></category> <category><![CDATA[basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[falslev]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fresno State Bulldogs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gamers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Men's basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[templin]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132726</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Utah State Men’s Basketball was back home on Saturday for the first time in nearly three weeks after a fruitful…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-overcome-early-deficit-surge-to-a-tight-win-over-fresno-state/">Aggies overcome early deficit, surge to a tight win over Fresno State</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="auto">Utah State Men’s Basketball was back home on Saturday for the first time in nearly three weeks after a fruitful road trip where they went 3-0 over three tough opponents. The Aggies welcomed the Fresno State Bulldogs into the Spectrum, continuing conference play and looking to move to 4-0 in their conference games. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“With five days on the road, back-to-back wins on the road and a little fatigue, it was tough, but we found a way to win. I’m proud of the guys, but it certainly wasn’t our best outing to say the least,” said head coach Jerrod Calhoun after the win.</span><span data-contrast="none"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The Aggies struggled in the early goings against Fresno State. Plagued by turnovers and shooting woes, they found themselves trialing from the jump. Conversely, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead fueled by hot shooting, especially from deep. They hit on five of their first eight three-point attempts and had everything falling. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Utah State trailed by as many as 17 points twice during the first half and couldn’t get much going on offense. With 10:04 remaining in the first half and USU down 30-13, Drake Allen entered the game for the Aggies and provided an instant spark. Allen suffered a shoulder injury just over two weeks ago and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks but returned and played limited minutes in Utah State’s win over Nevada earlier in the week. On Saturday, Allen provided some much-needed energy off the bench, recording a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Allen immediately made his presence felt after checking in, finding Aubin Gateretse for an alley-oop on his first play of the game. On the next two defensive possessions, he forced a turnover and blocked a Fresno State three-pointer. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Drake was huge, man. I’m just proud of him,” said Karson Templin, sophomore forward. “He’s in there getting recovery for his shoulder, doing treatment, and you know, he just deserves it.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Despite the slow start, the Aggies were able to close the gap late in the first half as they’ve done numerous times this season. They ended the half on 12-2 run that pulled them within three, and they only trailed 42-39 at the break.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“We didn’t want to be in a hole like that. We obviously don’t necessarily like being in that position, but we’ve been in that position before at San Diego State, so we knew we could battle back,” Templin said. “We got to be better in the first half. We got to get off to better starts — that’s what it comes down to.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The second half started out much better for USU. After fighting for the lead through the early minutes, the Aggies took their first lead of the game with 14:38 remaining on a layup from Allen to cap an 8-2 run. After another back and forth, Utah State took the lead and ran, extending their lead to 14 with just over six minutes left in the game. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">After an impressive first half from the Bulldogs, they would not go down without a fight. Thanks to some sloppy play from the Aggies and timely shots of their own, Fresno State fought their way back in late in the game. They mounted a 15-3 run late to pull them within four and were able to get to within three with 16 seconds remaining. Clutch Utah State free throws kept them at bay, and the Aggies escaped with a victory. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Ultimately, the Aggies again leaned on their depth to pick up the win over Fresno State, 89-83. Templin led the charge with 18 points and 10 rebounds, both a team high, to record a double-double of his own. In addition to double-doubles from Allen and Templin, Utah State had five players in double digits on the night. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-overcome-early-deficit-surge-to-a-tight-win-over-fresno-state/">Aggies overcome early deficit, surge to a tight win over Fresno State</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>