Nov. 23, 2010

Final Stats

PROVO, Utah - Utah State women's basketball fell to Brigham Young University, 84-52, in Provo, Utah at the Marriott Center despite a team-high 12 points from sophomore center Banna Diop Tuesday.

Utah State falls to 0-4 on the season, while BYU improves to 2-2. The Cougars earned their first win of the season against the Washington Huskies on Nov. 22.

This is the first game Diop did not win the tip-off for the initial possession, however she came back strong and scored USU's first four points. It is the second game in a row that Diop has led the Aggies in scoring as she tabbed 17 points against Montana on Nov. 20. Diop also added three rebounds and an assist against the Cougars. She shot an impressive 6-of-7 from the field and was the only Aggie in double figures.

Utah State began the game tied with the Cougars after four points from Diop. The Cougars outside shooting in the first half was a force to be reckoned with. BYU sunk seven three-point baskets in the first half alone.

In the first 20 minutes of action, Utah State shot 28.6 percent from the field (10-of-35) and was 0-of-6 from behind the arc. The Aggies shot a perfect 100 percent from the free-throw line (2-of-2). BYU shot 55.9 percent from the field (19-of-34) and 43.8 percent from the three-point line (7-of-16). The Cougars shot 66.7 percent from the free throw line (4-of-6). USU was down at half, but it wasn't for lack of attempts as the Aggies only trailed the Cougars in field-goal attempts by one.

The last time USU scored only 22 points in a half was Feb 27, 2010 when the Aggies hosted Idaho and would later finish with a close, 54-53, loss to the Vandals.

To start the second half, the Aggies out-scored the Cougars by one point in the first five minutes. Freshman guard Kamie Imai tabbed her first minutes as an Aggie as she subbed in during the second half. However, it was again the Cougars outside and perimeter shots that would sink the Aggies. BYU hit 10 three-point shots in the game which would total to a quick 30 points for the Cougars, while the Aggies were only able to net two three-point shots.

For the game, Utah State shot 30.3 percent from the field (20-of-66) and 13.3 percent the three-point line (2-of-15). USU shot well from the free-throw line, shooting 62.5 percent (10-of-16). BYU shot 40.9 percent for the game (35-of-78) and 41.7 percent from beyond the arc (10-of-24). Cougars shot 40.0 percent from the free throw line (4-of-10).

The Aggies will head to Ogden, Utah to take on Weber State on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. The wildcats are 1-1 on the season after falling to 62-56 to in-state rival Utah. The Wildcat's win came against San Jose State (59-48) on Nov. 12. Weber State's game on Tuesday against Utah Valley was postponed due to the weather.

Fans can follow USU women's basketball and Coach Pebley on Twitter at http://twitter.com/UTAHSTATEofmind and Utah State athletics at http://twitter.com/USUAthletics.

For tickets contact the USU Athletics Ticket Office at (435)797-0305 or at 1-888-U-STATE-1 (1-888-878-2831) for more information or visit the Utah State athletic web site at www.UtahStateAggies.com.