WBB: Senior night, prizes and a tough loss to San José State
LOGAN — Utah State Women’s Basketball faced the Spartans Tuesday night, each with a record of 4-24. The matchup that would determine who would be the No. 10 seed at the Mountain West Basketball Championship fell in favor of San José State, 78-65, after USU left everything on the court.
The final game of the season included spotlights on each of the seniors: Kinley Falslev-Wickizer, Abby Wahl, Ashya Klopfenstein, Mayson Kimball, Olivia Mason and Maria Carvalho.
Seniors on the women’s basketball team pose on their senior night. From right to left: Kinley Falslev-Wickizer, Abby Wahl, Ashya Klopfenstein, Mayson Kimball, Olivia Mason and Maria Carvalho. (Photo/ Heidi Bingham)
“They’re great people. I’m glad I got to know them,” head coach Kayla Ard said. “We’re losing some incredible people here that I’ll forever have relationships with, so it’s an emotional day.”
Tip-off was snatched by San José State, followed by a quick 7-0 Spartan run in the first three minutes of the game. SJSU would build their lead as large as 21-8 in the first quarter.
SJSU started off with a full-court press while the Aggies stayed back until later on. After the 13-point lead, Klopfenstein put USU on the board with three free throws.
The Spartans kept the Aggies at a 10-point distance for the majority of the first quarter, ending it 23-16.
The Aggies brought the game within six, 25-19, after Cristina Oliva sunk a 3-pointer. Those were followed up by two deep threes from Carvalho later in the quarter.
Two technical fouls at the end of the second quarter sent the teams to the locker rooms with SJSU up 38-29. In the first half, Tamiah Robinson and Carvalho each had eight points.
The halftime show included $5,000 worth of prizes given out to students as an incentive to come to the game. This effort to get more students to attend women’s games is not the first of its kind, however, the student section appeared similar to what it has been throughout the season.
The majority of the fans in attendance were other student-athletes. Klopfenstein wasn’t surprised as it is normal, even expected, that athletes support one another.
“It means a lot because I love to support them so if they come and support us, we’re just one big USU family,” she said. “It’s just so cool.”
That big USU family cheered the women on as they entered the second half and changed the course of the game.
Falslev-Wickizer, one of the honored seniors, hit her first 3-pointer of the game followed by another from Robinson bringing the game within three points. Then, Falslev-Wickizer banged in another triple to tie the game at 40, capping off an 11-0 Aggie run. SJSU retook the lead with five straight points. The teams traded baskets concluding with Natalie Fraley hitting a last-second 3-pointer to end the third quarter 52-50 in favor of the Spartans.
As they entered the last quarter, energy was high from both teams and the fans. Olivia Wikstrom started it off with a smooth layup and tied up the game once again.
The Aggies kept the score within four as long as they could, but a series of fouls and missed shots, including two technicals, led to a 14-point lead by the Spartans.
A two-minute scoring drought for both teams was broken by Wikstrom, making both her free throws after being fouled. Those shots weren’t enough as San José State drained out the clock. The final score was 65-78 for the Spartans.
The regular season didn’t end as the team hoped for. That didn’t stop them from staying on the court to take pictures with fans, hug their teammates, and sing “The Scotsman.”
“I’m really proud of their effort. I thought we played very hard and I thought the effort was there,” Ard said. “Our girls competed. That’s all I’m asking of them right now is to compete and they competed so I’m proud of that.”
Ard was still smiling despite the regular season ending with a record of 4-25. She’s grateful for the women on the team, not because of the outcomes of the games but because of who they are as people.
“This team is fun, easy to coach, they listen, they gave me everything they had. Some people on the outside say ‘it’s not enough, it’s not enough.’ But they gave me everything they had and I’m proud of that,” she said. “I’m proud of who they are, I’m proud of the way they treat people. Those are things I’m focusing on.”
Now the Aggies turn toward the Mountain West Basketball Championship in Las Vegas. Ard is approaching the tournament with a different mindset — having fun.
“I just want the kids to go have fun,” she said. “I just want the kids to go down there, have a good experience and go compete. It’s basketball it should be fun.”
Klopfenstein reflected positively on her time as an Aggie, especially with the other seniors.
“We all came from different backgrounds, different schools, different roles, but to come together and take all of our experience to one team and be on the floor at the same time has been so special,” she said. “I cherish them, I thank them, I love them. I’m just happy to be here.”
Featured image by Heidi Bingham.