Utah State women's basketball (2-4, 0-0 MW) returns to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum to host Dixie State (5-2, 0-1 RMAC) on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. The Aggies then open Mountain West play as Utah State hosts San José State (5-3, 0-0 MW) on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., followed by a road contest at Fresno State (5-3, 0-0 MW) on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m. (MT).
HOW TO FOLLOW
This week's games will be broadcast by the Mountain West Network. Radio coverage will be provided by 92.3 KBLU with Jaden Johnson on the call. Live stats and play-by-play information will be available through Sidearm for the Dixie State and San José State games, and StatBroadcast for the game at Fresno State. Links to each option will be available online prior to the game.
FINKBEINER STEPS DOWN
Jerry Finkbeiner has permanently stepped down as USU's head coach after taking a medical leave of absence for a non-life-threatening health condition in early November. Associate head coach Ben Finkbeiner will oversee the program and be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
CONFERENCE OPENERS
Utah State is 12-15 in conference openers, including 9-8 when playing the opener at home and 3-7 on the road. USU is 2-4 in Mountain West openers, including 2-1 at home and 0-3 on the road.
MAKING THEM PAY AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Senior forward Hailey Bassett is shooting 95.0 percent (19-of-20) at the free throw line which ranks second in the Mountain West and 11th in the nation.
HITTING THE CENTURY MARK
Senior forward Hailey Bassett played in her 100th game of her Aggie career in the 83-62 loss at Cal State Fullerton (Nov. 20). Bassett, who has never missed a game in her Utah State career, is now the 16th Aggie to play in 100 games in program history.
I'LL TAKE THAT
Utah State has recorded 60 steals this season compared to 49 by its opponents. USU has had at least one player record multiple steals in five of its six games this season. Sophomore guard Steph Gorman and freshman guard Faith Brantley lead the Aggies with 15 and 10 steals, respectively.
CONSISTENT SCORERS
The Aggies have had at least three players score in double figures in all of Utah State's games this season. Sophomore guard Steph Gorman (14.8 ppg) and senior guard Lindsey Jensen-Baker (12.5 ppg) have scored in double figures in all six games of the 2019-20 season. Senior forward Marlene Aniambossou (10.5 ppg) has scored in double figures in five games, while senior forward Hailey Bassett (12.5 ppg) have scored in double digits in four.
BACK-TO-BACK DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Senior forward Hailey Bassett recorded back-to-back double-doubles in the victory over Long Beach State (Nov. 18) and the loss at Cal State Fullerton (Nov. 20). Against the Beach, Bassett had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while she had a season-high 20 points to go along with 10 rebounds against the Titans.
AGGIE CAREER-HIGH SPREAD
Several Aggies recorded career-high stats in the first two games of the 2019-20 season. Against Portland, sophomore guard Steph Gorman stole the ball a career-high six times, while junior guard Emmie Harris tied her career high with four assists and three steals. Senior guard Lindsey Jensen-Baker snagged a career-high five rebounds against the Pilots.
Against Seattle, Gorman scored a career-high 28 points, doubling her previous of 14 points. Jensen-Baker and senior forward Marlene Aniambossou also scored career highs with 15 and 13 points, respectively. Aniambossou also had career highs with nine rebounds and three steals against the Redhawks, while redshirt sophomore guard/forward Taylor Franson had a career-high-tying five rebounds.
FIRST-QUARTER SPARK
In its two opening games of the 2019-20 season, Utah State outscored its opponents, 43-23, in the first quarter. In the 70-64 loss to Portland, senior forward Hailey Bassett and senior guard Lindsey Jensen-Baker led the first quarter effort with six points apiece to outscore the Pilots, 24-16. In the 70-63 win over Seattle, sophomore guard Steph Gorman led the way in the first period with 10 points as the Aggies outscored the Redhawks 19-7.
-USU-
