USU Women’s basketball dominates on tour of Mexico
When most people go to Cozumel, Mexico, it is for a vacation. But when the Utah State University women’s basketball team went down in August, it was for business.
And business was taken care of, as the team performed well against their opponents. Despite the majority of the roster consisting of underclassmen, the Aggies claimed victory in all three games, winning 104-33, 102-49 and 76-52.
“Don’t take us lightly… just because we are new,” freshman Kamalu Kamakawiwo’ole said. “We’re still going to be on top of our game.”
The second and third games Utah State played were against a semi-pro team from Guadalajara. After being defeated handily in their first matchup, Guadalajara came back with a vengeance in the third game.
“They really pushed us and worked us and were very physical with us,” head coach Jerry Finkbeiner said. “It took us a while to adjust to it.”
Eventually, Utah State responded to Guadalajara’s physicality and came away with the victory.
According to sophomore Shyla Latone, who transferred to USU in the offseason, the team culture fostered during the trip led to chemistry on the court.
“Coming to this school, I was nervous at first,” she said. “But once I clicked with my teammates, everything was flowing. And it was fun.”
Latone, who was a leading scorer for the team in Mexico, will have to sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules. However, she will still be able to practice with the team and prepare for next season.
After dominating on the court and holding a few basketball clinics on the island, the Aggies gained quite the fanbase. According to Finkbeiner, the team started doing autograph sessions after its games and took tons of pictures with fans.
“It was a feeling that I’ve never felt before,” senior guard and forward Hailey Bassett said.
Going on a foreign tour also allowed Utah State to have additional practice time. NCAA rules limit summer training — but teams going on tour are allowed 10 practice days beforehand. After losing several of the team’s key players in the offseason and gaining several freshman, practice was exactly what the Aggies needed.
“It’s kind of [like a] mini season — two weeks of practice, three games down there in Cozumel,” Finkbeiner said. “We’re so much further ahead now than as is if we would have been coming in point blank and not knowing each other and starting, you know this time of year. “
Finkbeiner and his team are optimistic about what lies ahead. According to Kamakawiwo’ole, the Aggies’ ultimate goal is to win conference.
The team kicks off their regular season Nov. 7 at 11 a.m., when they host the University of Portland.