May 22, 2009

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State women's basketball head coach Raegan Pebley has announced the signing of two more to the 2009-10 class. Ashlee Brown is a forward who is transferring from UC Santa Barbara, while LaCale Pringle-Buchanan is a transfer guard from the College of Southern Idaho. Both players will enter the program as juniors. Brown will be eligible to play for the 2010-2011 season, while Pringle-Buchanan can play next season.

"Ashlee and LaCale will help us take another step forward as a program," USU head coach Raegan Pebley said. "These two combined with Devyn (Christensen), Jenna (Johnson) and Ashley (Mitchell) are all anxious to get on campus and start getting to work. If they buy into what we do as a program, these newcomers will be challenged by our returning players while simultaneously making us a better team."

Brown is a junior transfer from Chandler, Ariz., who is coming to USU from UC Santa Barbara. Last season, she averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. She played an average of in just under 11 minutes per game.

"I am happy of every choice I made that got me to this point," Brown said. "I met great people, did new things, experienced losing a coach and gaining a coach, playing to not playing and in some way all my experiences have made me a better young woman."

Brown was originally recruited by Utah State out of Chandler HS, but signed with UC Santa Barbara prior to the 2007-08 season.

"Although the first time around I passed up on my once in a lifetime opportunity, I couldn't the second time, and I know I will come out an even stronger, and smart young woman," Brown said. "I am 100% happy with my decision to attend Utah State University. Thanks to everyone on the staff, team, and community for making this decision almost impossible to turn away especially the second time around."

Her freshman season. Brown earned the Big West's Sixth Man Award and was named to the all-Big West Freshman team. She was one of four players to have seen action in all 31 games during the 2007-08 season. Brown brought down 132 total rebounds her rookie campaign, third-most among the Gauchos.

"Ashlee fits our point forward spot very well," Pebley said. "This next year will be a great opportunity for her to get herself completely ready to make an impact on the floor when her redshirt year is over."

Pringle-Buchanan, who is from Seattle, Wash., was a very versatile player for the College of Southern Idaho last season. She was among the nation's leaders in steals at 3.8 per game and also averaged 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds.

"LaCale is a guard that knows how to fill up a stat sheet and knows how to win," Pebley said. "She will create unique matchup problems for our opponents. She is strong, she can create off the dribble, she can shoot the three-pointer, she can get herself to the foul line and she can rebound. We also love her potential at majorly impacting our defensive."

Pringle-Buchanan was a force in the Scenic West Athletic Conference ending the season ninth in both scoring (11.9 ppg) and rebounding (6.3 rpg). She helped lead CSI to a 14-1 league record, falling in the championship game of the SWAC Tournament.

"One of the reasons I am choosing Utah State is because I want to make a difference at whatever program I go to," Pringle-Buchanan said. "I like the offense and I feel Coach Pebley's program will help me develop my game."

Utah State lost its top two scorers from last season in all-WAC honorees Danyelle Snelgro and Ana Pares to graduation. The Aggies have now signed five players to complete the 2008-09 signing class. Along with Brown and Pringle-Buchanan, Pebley has signed Devyn Christensen, Jenna Johnson and Ashley Mitchell.

2008-09 Utah State Women's Basketball SigneesAshlee Brown, 6-0, F, Chandler, Ariz. (UC Santa Barbara)LaCale Pringle-Buchanan, 5-10, G, Seattle, Wash. (College of Southern Idaho)Devyn Christiansen, 5-7, G, Caldwell, IdahoJenna Johnson, 5-9, G, Wasilla, AlaskaAshley Mitchell, 5-8, G, Long Beach, Calif.