Win no. 8 for Aggies
“Think Pink Night” ended on a positive note for the Utah State women’s basketball team Thursday.
The Aggies picked up their second-consecutive victory, beating the Nevada Wolf Pack in the Spectrum, 56-48.
Photos by Patrick Oden/Statesman
As part of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Cancer Awareness Weekend, all in attendance were encouraged to wear pink.
“It was a great win for us,” USU head Coach Raegan Pebley said. “It shows a lot about our character and the toughness of our team and how they stay together. You don’t beat a team with quality like Nevada unless you have that.”
The Wolf Pack were the Western Athletic Conference’s third best team. They dropped to 18-8 on the year and 9-4 in the WAC.
The Aggies kicked into high gear in the first half with a 3-pointer from junior guard Danyelle Snelgro. That was followed up by a layup by senior forward Jenny Gross. Nevada struggled to catch up, fighting their way to an 11-9 lead with 14 minutes left to play.
From there the lead would change twice.
Utah State (8-16 overall, 4-8 in WAC play) utilized a strong defensive style, stealing back the lead and keeping it throughout the first half. Demanding Nevada’s attention from the beginning, Utah State dominated scoring as well, converting on 41.4 percent of its field goals to take a 28-25 at the half.
“We just came in really trying to focus on what we were going to do, on our defense and what we can control,” Gross said. “We kept feeding off of each other, encouraging and playing off of the enthusiasm.’
Energized from first half play, the Aggies grasped the fever and held on tight. Despite a technical foul on Pebley, the team remained on top, letting nothing get in the way of victory.
Nevada managed to get within one point of the lead, but Utah State never let it go.
USU senior guard Taylor Richards banked 12 points in the win, along with Gross’ 13. The Aggies would conclude with a 42.9 shooting percentage.
“I think we were fatigued, so I was really proud of how they dug in,” Pebley said. “We had good support off the bench. Both teams looked tired, I think, but we just tried to gut it out at the end.”
Top scoring for the Wolf Pack came from junior guard Brandi Fitzgerald, who totaled 15 points.
The Aggies host Fresno State University Sunday. The Aggies will play on Sunday in order to give the men’s team the chance to play in the bracket busting game on Friday.
“It’s not something we would normally want to do,” Pebley said about a Sunday game. “But I think the Lord likes basketball, so if people wouldn’t mind coming out, that would be good.”
-erin.wadsworth@aggiemail.usu.edu