AGGIE TIP-OFF
Utah State women's basketball (5-11, 0-6 MW) returns to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum this week to host Colorado State (11-4, 2-3 MW) on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m., followed by Wyoming (6-7, 2-2 MW) on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Radio coverage will be provided by 92.3 KBLU with Ajay Salvesen on the call. Live stats and play-by-play information will be available through Sidearm, while updates will also be provided through the team's social media outlets. Links to each option will be available online prior to the game.
LEADERS IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
The Aggies rank in the top-three in several statistical categories in the Mountain West in the 2021-22 campaign, including offensive rebounds per game (13.13, 2nd), free throws attempts per game (17.44, t-2nd), free throws made per game (12.44, 3rd) and turnovers forced per game (16.81, 3rd).
Utah State also ranks in the top-five in various individual categories in the MW as junior guard/forward Adryana Quezada ranks fourth in the league in offensive rebounds per game (3.07 orpg) and fifth in rebounding (7.64 rpg). Senior guard Kaylin Randhawa ranks fifth in free throw percentage (83.9).
AGGIES VERSUS RAMS
Wednesday's game will mark the 36th meeting between the Aggies and Rams. Colorado State leads the all-time series, 22-13. However, the series is tied at 6-6 in games played in Logan.
SCOUTING THE RAMS
Colorado State is 11-4 this season, including 2-3 in Mountain West play. The Rams have lost back-to-back games with a 77-52 loss against Air Force and an 85-74 loss to New Mexico. CSU averages 68.1 points per game while shooting 41.0 percent (372-of-907) from the field, 34.4 percent (118-of-343) from behind the arc and 75.4 percent (159-of-211) at the free throw line. The Rams have allowed 59.9 points per game with opponents shooting 36.3 percent (347-of-955) from the floor, 31.1 percent (99-of-316) from behind the 3-point line and 70.0 percent (105-of-150) at the charity stripe.
Three Rams average double figures in scoring in junior guard McKenna Hofschild (14.6 ppg), graduate guard Upe Atosu (12.9 ppg) and graduate forward Karly Murphy (11.9 ppg). CSU is led by Murphy in rebounds (8.7 rpg), Hofschild in assists (6.1 apg), Atosu in steals (1.0 spg) and redshirt junior guard/forward Sydney Mech in blocks (2.5 bpg).
AGGIES VERSUS COWGIRLS
Saturday's game will mark the 37th meeting between the Aggies and Cowgirls. Wyoming leads the all-time series, 27-9, including an 11-5 mark in games played in Logan.
SCOUTING THE COWGIRLS
Wyoming holds a 6-7 mark in 2021-22, including a split 2-2 mark in MW action. The Cowgirls average 62.5 points per game while shooting 39.7 percent (294-of-740) from the field, 29.7 percent (79-of-266) from behind the arc and 75.5 percent (145-of-192) at the free throw line. Wyoming has allowed 58.8 points per game with opponents shooting 39.3 percent (287-of-730) from the field, 32.4 percent (80-of-247) from behind the 3-point line and 73.5 percent (111-of-151) at the free throw line.
Junior guard McKinley Bradshaw and senior guard Quinn Weidemann lead the Cowgirls in scoring with 14.3 and 10.1 points per game, respectively. Wyoming is also led by senior guard Alba Sanchez Ramos in rebounds (6.9 rpg), senior guard Tommi Olson in assists (3.2 apg) and steals (2.3 spg), and sophomore forward Paula Salazar in blocks (0.6 bpg).
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Eight different Aggies have scored in double figures this season, led by senior guard Kaylin Randhawa with 11 double-figure outings. Senior guard/forward E'Lease Stafford and graduate forward Laci Hawthorne have scored in double figures seven times each in 2021-22.
THREE'S COMPANY
USU is 4-1 this season when shooting better than its opponent from behind the arc.
BENCH WORK
Utah State's bench has outscored its opponents' 324-293. The Aggie bench has registered 20-or-more points in eight contests, including five games of 30-plus points.
A USU bench player has scored in double figures 11 times this season and has led the team in scoring in four matchups. Junior guard Shyla Latone posted the best performance by an Aggie off the bench this season with 23 points in the 73-71 victory at Southeastern (Nov. 27).
RAIN MAKER
With seven 3-pointers versus Southeastern, junior guard Shyla Latone now has three of the top-eight performances from behind the arc in Utah State history and two of the top three. The native of San Diego, California, also had six made 3s at San Diego State on Jan. 14, 2021, and tied Devyn Christensen's program record of nine made 3-pointers versus New Mexico on March 1, 2020.
FREE FOR THE TAKING
Utah State is tied for second in the Mountain West in total free throw attempts per game (17.44) and ranks third in free throw makes per game (12.44). The Aggies' current mark of 71.3 percent at the charity stripe ranks eighth all-time in program history.
GLASS CLEANERS
Utah State averages 38.19 rebounds per game to rank just outside the top-10 all-time in program history. USU ranks sixth in the Mountain West in rebounds per game (38.19) and is sixth in the MW in rebounds per game in league play (39.00).
Two Aggies rank in the top-20 in the conference in rebounds per game in junior guard/forward Adryana Quezada (7.64 rpg, 5th) and graduate forward Laci Hawthorne (5.43 rpg, 18th). Two Aggies rank in the top-20 in rebounds per game in MW games in senior guard/forward E'Lease Stafford (6.83 rpg, 16th) and Hawthorne (6.33 rpg, 17th).
GIVING THEMSELVES A SECOND CHANCE
The Aggies rank second in the Mountain West in offensive rebounds per game at 13.13 and are fourth in conference play with 12.33 offensive rebounds per game. USU has made the most out of these opportunities as the Aggies have outscored their opponents 189-187 in second-chance points.
Junior guard/forward Adryana Quezada ranks fourth in the MW in offensive boards per game at 3.07, while graduate forward Laci Hawthorne (2.57 rpg) ranks eighth. In league play, Hawthorne is ninth in the MW with 2.83 offensive rebounds per game.
DISHING IT OUT
USU registered a season-high 21 assists on 29 made field goals in the 98-83 loss to New Mexico (Jan. 6). Seven Aggies dished out multiple assists in the game, led by senior guards Manna Mensah and Emmie Harris who dropped five dimes each.
CLOSING IN ON HISTORY
Senior guard Emmie Harris enters this week's play having suited up 125 times for the Aggies to tie for fourth all-time in Utah State history. Former USU standouts Hailey Bassett, Rachel Brewster and Jennifer Schlott hold the all-time record with 126 games played in an Aggie uniform.
CLOSING IN ON THE CENTENNIAL MARK
Several Aggies have played in or are close to having played in 100 career games. Two Aggies have worn a USU uniform in every game of their respective careers in senior guard Emmie Harris (125) and senior forward Taylor Franson (89). Graduate forward Laci Hawthorne has appeared in 114 career games, including 14 at Utah State. Three more Aggies are closing in on 100 career games in senior guard Kaylin Randhawa (96), senior point guard Manna Mensah (94) and senior guard/forward E'Lease Stafford (93).
AGGIE RETURNERS
Utah State returns seven letterwinners from last year's squad. Headlining the returners include senior Emmie Harris, who averaged 8.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in 22 contests. Sophomore guard Meagan Mendazona also returns her 6.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Junior Shyla Latone is USU's leading returning scorer at 9.7 points per game across 24 contests. Other returners for Utah State include sophomore Halle Nelson (4.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg), junior Kamalu Kamakawiwo'ole (4.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.2 apg), sophomore Kinley Falslev (3.4 ppg) and senior Taylor Franson (2.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg). In all, USU returns 65 percent of last season's scoring, 55 percent of last season's rebounds, and 80 percent of last season's assists. Over 68 percent of all minutes played during the 2020-21 season return again for the Aggies this year.
TRANSFER-MATION COMPLETE
Utah State added six new faces to the 2021-22 roster via transfer. Sophomore Olivia Wikstrom joins the Aggies after playing her freshman year at Northern Colorado. Junior Adryana Quezada comes to Logan after two years at UTSA. Senior E'Lease Stafford joins USU after three years at East Tennessee State. USU also brings in two transfers from Murray State in seniors Manna Mensah and Laci Hawthorne. Senior Kaylin Randhawa also joins the team after spending three seasons at Pacific.
WELCOME TO THE PARTY
The Aggies made several changes to the coaching staff for the 2021-22 season. Jauwan Scaife remains as assistant coach while also taking on the responsibility of recruiting coordinator. Taylor Ignoto officially joins the staff as an assistant coach after spending last season as the director of basketball operations. Marc Wilson also joins as an assistant coach, bringing 21 years of Division-I coaching experience with him. Claire Gritt makes her coaching debut as graduate manager after concluding her playing career at Denver, which included three seasons under current USU head coach Kayla Ard.
PACIFIC PIPELINE
Utah State's 2021-22 roster presents a plethora of Pacific flair, with five players joining USU from Pacific-coast states (Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii). Sophomore Olivia Wikstrom (Bainbridge Island) calls Washington home. Junior Shyla Latone (San Diego) and senior Kaylin Randhawa (Turlock) come from California. Sophomore Meagan Mendazona (Monmouth) represents Oregon while junior Kamalu Kamakawiwo'ole hails from Hawaii.
HOME GROWN
Utah State has four players from the state of Utah in senior forward Taylor Franson (American Fork, Utah), sophomores Halle Nelson (American Fork, Utah) and Kinley Falslev (Benson, Utah), and redshirt freshman Amit Lustgarten (Salt Lake City, Utah).
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