Women’s basketball has record night
Utah State forward Ashlee Brown led all scorers with 20 points as the Aggie women set a record for shooting percentage on Wednesday night, beating Utah Valley University in Orem 80-66.
The 6-foot redshirt junior made 10 of her 11 shots in the game, leading USU to a record 60.8 percent field goal shooting. The previous record was 58.3 percent against New Mexico State in 1982.
Aggie head coach Raegan Pebley said being able to shoot so well on the road helped her team to win.
“We were able to shoot really well,” Pebley said. “(Brown) just played awesome. Those 20 points came in around 23 or 25 minutes. Our offense played really smart, she was able to convert.”
Brown, a transfer from UC Santa Barbara, also pulled down eight rebounds as USU was able to out-rebound the Wolverines 27-24. It was the first time this season Utah State has rebounded more than opponents.
According to Pebley, who is in her eighth season as head coach at Utah State, the difference in the game was defense and rebounding. The Aggies were able to hold UVU’s leading scorer, Sammy Jensen, to just six points. Freshmen Kali Roche and Whitney Jenkins combined to give the Wolverines 35 points.
“Our defense created opportunities to get into the open court and get some good breaks,” Pebley said. “(Roche) got some shots late in their shot clock; we did an excellent job of taking away their other players.”
Sophomore center Banna Diop had 11 points in the contest, and sophomore guard Devyn Christensen added 10 more from the bench. In all, 13 Utah State players played in the game.
“Our bench played really well,” Pebley said. “There were times that our bench actually extended the lead.”
Senior Alice Coddington had a career high 11 assists. This was the second time in as many games the 5-foot-10 guard from Canberra, Australia has improved her personal best in that category.
“(Coddington) just captained her team very smartly,” Pebley said. “She’s been playing the way we need her to the last three games. Jenna Johnson also played smart and gave a lot of leadership and composure.”
The Aggies used that leadership to their advantage and took a commanding 15-point lead at halftime, 43-28. UVU would only come back to within 10 during the final minute of play.
Wolverine head coach Cathy Nixon said her team dug themselves into too big of a hole.
“We really do some great things when we’re all clicking and all focusing on the process,” Nixon said. “I think we are a pretty good basketball team when we are motivated but we are not good enough to turn it on and off when we want. If we compete for all 40 minutes we will be successful.”
The win is Utah State’s third straight, all coming against instate rivals and two of those victories coming on the road.
“It takes confidence to win on the road and I think those last two wins gave us that,” Pebley said. “It definitely gives us confidence to have won two of the last three on road. Most definitely.”
Pebley expects it will be much easier going to play Northern Arizona after the wins than it would be coming off of a loss.
“NAU very good team,” Pebley said. “We have to play well to beat them on their court.”
The game will be played Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. MST in Flagstaff, Arizona.
– tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu