Women’s Basketball
Fresh off a six-game losing streak, the Utah State women’s basketball team now looks to best the University of Hawaii in Honolulu Thursday.
The Rainbow Wahine, along with head coach Jim Bolla, will host the Aggies in their own Stan Sheriff Center. Remaining at 8-13 overall and 2-6 in the Western Athletic Conference, Hawaii fell to Utah State early in conference play, 55-48. “We had some wins going into the game,” Aggie head coach Raegan Pebley said. “We had a little bit more momentum. But I think we’ve got confidence going in against Hawaii. We know we can beat them. And we actually did beat them, not just play with them.”
Utah State’s most recent loss came in the first of a four-game away schedule against the University of Nevada 75-55. Major defense mistakes factored into this loss, Pebley said. But the team has been shown their mistakes and has taken the necessary steps to remedy pitfalls, she said.
The Aggies began conference play strong, with a 2-0 record, but have since fallen to 2-6. Led by senior guard Taylor Richards and her assists record, Utah State currently sits on a 6-14 season. Despite recent setbacks, the team is hungry for a win, Pebley said. “I feel like we’ve come into the last two practices refocused,” Pebley said. “We know it’s going to be hard doing it on the road at Hawaii, but our team is really motivated. I’m happy with that.” Boosting a team’s morale after multiple losses can be difficult, but Pebley said she offers her team a view of how to improve. Focusing on controllable elements of the game and how to transition these essentials from a loss to a win can help the team retain enthusiasm, Pebley said. Coincidentally, the Aggies’ last game ending in victory happened to be against Hawaii. Defense was the hallmark of the game, aiding Utah State in 33 turnovers. Senior forward Jenny Gross brought home 11 points, while Richards banked 10 to seal the win. Hawaii boasts senior forward Tanya Smith, WAC player of the week for Jan. 28, and senior center Iwona Zagrobelna, who scored a game-high 18 points against the Aggies in their last meeting. The Aggies hope to triumph over the entire team on Thursday, upping the stakes for Hawaii through defensive and offensive means.
Road travel becomes troublesome for the team academically beginning in February, Pebley said. Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 16, the Aggies will be attending three days of class, placing strain on academic standing. “We’ve got a lot of academic obstacles,” Pebley said. “Them getting their degrees is the number one priority, and we’re going to make sure of that.”
Following Thursday’s game, the Aggies head to California to face Fresno State University and San Jose State University. Nevada will then make its way to the Spectrum to face Utah State on Feb. 21.
-erin.wadsworth@aggimail.usu.edu