WEEKLY AGGIE UPDATE - FEBRUARY 21, 2022
Weekly Aggie Update
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Contact: Kyle Cottam - (435) 797-2066
This Week
Tue., Feb. 22 --- NEW MEXICO, 8 p.m. (FS1)
Sat., Feb. 26 --- COLORADO STATE, 8:30 p.m. (FS1)
• Utah State men's basketball (15-13, 6-9 MW) continues its 2021-22 season this week with a pair of Mountain West home games as it hosts New Mexico (11-16, 3-10 MW) on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 8 p.m., and Colorado State (21-4, 11-4 MW) on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 8:30 p.m. USU is 30-12 all-time against UNM, including a 15-2 home record, and 66-41 all-time against CSU, including a 20-9 home record. Both games can be watched live on FS1 (Xfinity, Ch. 265, DISH Ch. 150, DirecTV Ch. 219).
Last Week
L, 56-75 --- at San Diego State
L, 57-68 --- at Boise State
• Utah State went 0-2 in Mountain West play last week with a 75-56 loss at San Diego State and a 68-57 loss at Boise State. Against the Aztecs, senior forward Justin Bean had 18 points and eight rebounds, while senior forward Brandon Horvath had 10 points. USU shot 40.4 percent (21-of-52) from the floor, 27.8 percent (5-of-18) from behind the 3-point line and 75.0 percent (9-of-12) at the free throw line. SDSU shot 51.7 percent (30-of-58) from the floor, 50.0 percent (7-of-14) from behind the 3-point line and 72.7 percent (8-of-11) at the free throw line. Against the Broncos, senior guard RJ Eytle-Rock led a trio of Aggies in double figures with 16 points, followed by Horvath with 11 points and freshman guard Zee Hamoda with 10 points off the bench. USU shot 43.4 percent (23-of-53) from the floor, 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from behind the 3-point line and 66.7 percent (4-of-6) at the free throw line. BSU shot 52.4 percent (22-of-42) from the floor, 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from behind the 3-point line and 67.9 percent (19-of-28) at the free throw line.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Contact: Ashley Springer - (435) 797-5547
This Week
Sat., Feb. 26 --- NEVADA, 1 p.m. (MWN)
• Utah State women's basketball (8-18, 3-13 MW) continues Mountain West play this week as it hosts Nevada (17-9, 9-5 MW) on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. USU is 19-16 all-time against the Wolf Pack. Fans can watch the game via the Mountain West Network, streaming online at www.utahstateaggies.com/watch.
Last Week
L, 73-93 --- at New Mexico
L, 56-67 --- at Air Force
• Utah State lost both of its Mountain West games last week with a 93-73 loss at New Mexico and 67-56 loss at Air Force. Against the Lobos, senior guard Kaylin Randhawa had 15 points, junior guard Shyla Latone scored 12 points and senior point guard Manna Mensah also scored 12 points. USU shot 43.5 percent (27-of-62) from the field, 40.0 percent (10-of-25) from behind the arc and 60.0 percent (9-of-15) at the free throw line. UNM shot 45.9 percent (34-of-74) from the floor, 19.2 (5-of-26) from behind the 3-point line and 79.2 percent (19-of-24) at the free throw line. Against the Falcons, USU was led by junior guard/forward Adryana Quezada as she had 27 points and 10 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season. Randhawa added 11 points and Mensah scored 10 points. USU shot 42.9 percent (21-of-49) from the field, 22.2 percent (2-of-9) from behind the arc and 85.7 percent (12-of-14) at the free throw line. AFA shot 38.2 percent (29-of-76) from the floor, 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from behind the 3-point line and 50.0 percent (6-of-12) at the free throw line.
GYMNASTICS
Contact: Wade Denniston - (435) 797-1361
This Week
Fri., Feb. 25 --- No. 12 BYU / No. 22 TOWSON, 7 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 27 --- No. 22 TOWSON, 3 p.m.
• Utah State gymnastics (7-5, 3-5 Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference) continues its 2022 season this week with a dual-meet weekend at home. The 14th-ranked Aggies will host No. 12 BYU (6-3, 5-2 MRGC) and No. 22 Towson (12-3, 5-2 EAGL) on Friday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m., at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Utah State and Towson will then square off in a dual meet on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m.
Last Week
L, 195.800 -196.950 --- at No. 24 Boise State
• Utah State freshman Brie Clark captured her sixth floor title of the season with a career-high-tying 9.950 to help the Aggies record a season-high 49.500 on the event, which is tied for second all-time in school history. Unfortunately for then-No. 21 Utah State, it couldn't overcome troubles on both vault and beam as then-No. 24 Boise State beat the Aggies 196.950-195.800 in a Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference dual meet last weekend. Clark is now tied for sixth with her six single-season floor titles. Rebecca Wells won the all-around for the fourth time this season with a 38.500. The junior also tied for second on vault with a 9.850 and tied for seventh on bars with a career-high 9.825. Opening the meet on bars, the Aggies recorded a season-high 49.200. Brianna Brooks paced USU on the event as the sophomore placed second with a career-high-tying 9.900. Utah State recorded a 48.650 on vault, with Wells being the only Aggie to score above a 9.800. The Aggies were dialed in on floor in the third rotation. Prior to Clark's 9.950, fellow freshman Trinity Brown notched a career-high 9.925, good enough for a second-place tie. Sophomore Eve Jackson also tallied a personal best with a 9.900 to tie for fourth. Wells rounded out the Aggies' five counting scores on floor with a 9.850, helping Utah State notch a 49.500 on the event for the first time since doing so against Ohio State on Feb. 28, 2003. Utah State, ranked 12th in the nation on beam heading into the meet, had to count a fall and finished with a 48.450 on the apparatus. Brooks, Clark, junior Sofi Sullivan and freshman Kielyn McCright all tied for third with matching 9.825s.
INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Contact: Daniel Hansen - (435) 797-8584
This Week
Thur.-Sat., Feb. 24-26 --- at MW Champs, Albuquerque, N.M., All Day
• Utah State's men's and women's indoor track & field teams return to action on Thursday, Feb. 24, as it competes in the Mountain West Championships, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The meet runs through Saturday, Feb. 26. At the last MW Indoor Championships in 2020, the Aggie men finished fourth, while the Aggie women placed 10th.
Last Competition
NTS --- at Idaho State Invitational
NTS --- at New Mexico Invitational
NTS --- at Boston Invitational
• Utah State competed at three separate meets two weekends ago and claimed eight titles to go along with 49 top-five placings. A trio of athletes led the Aggies at the Boston hosted-David Hemery Valentine Invitational. Senior Devin Pancake set the school record in the men's mile, recording a time of 4:00.36 to finish 15th overall. Graduate senior Connor Weaver placed 46th in the men's 5,000 meters with a time of 13:49.16, ranking second all-time in school history. On the women's side in the 5,000 meters, graduate senior Katie Haviland also set the second-fastest time in Aggie history with a mark of 16:23.77 to finish 19th. At the New Mexico hosted-Don Kirby Elite Invitational, junior Dominic Bentil placed second overall in the 200 meters with a time of 21.17, which is the third-fastest time in school history. Senior Caleb Garnica placed first in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:17.76. Freshman Chase Leach and senior Roberto Porras also claimed fourth- and fifth-place finishes, respectively, in the event with times of 8:30.65 and 8:31.33. In the 3,000 meters on the women's side, senior Mica Rivera finished second overall with a time of 9:53.70. Sophomore Morgan French placed fourth with a time of 10:00.61. Senior Maia Garren placed fourth in the weight throw with a mark of 18.35 meters (60-2.50). On the men's side, sophomore Ben Hoffman placed fourth in the high jump with a mark of 2.12 meters (6-11.50), which ranks ninth all-time in school history. At the Idaho State hosted- Mountain State Games, sophomore Autumn Kidd placed third in the finals of the 200 meters with a time of 26.03 and also registered a second-place finish in the 400 meters with a time of 59.87. Freshman Max Wehrli won the title in the 5,000 meters, posting a time of 14:36.72. Senior Darren Harman finished close behind in second with a time of 14:37.92. In the women's 5,000 meters, Abby Gray was USU's top finisher, placing second overall with a time of 17:25.92. Junior Dolly Gabri also finished second in the women's shot put with a mark of 13.58 meters (44-6.75). In the women's distance medley relay, USU's team featuring sophomores Taylia Norris and Hannah Davidson, freshman Adi Nielson and junior Bailey Brinkerhoff finished second with a time of 11:49.60, which is the fourth-fastest time in school history. Freshman Will Dixon also claimed a title for the Aggies in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:34.32. Senior Mark Crandall continued USU's dominance in distance at the meet, winning the men's mile with a time of 4:10.08. In the men's heptathlon, Caden Dupee placed first overall, scoring a total of 5,000 points while winning the shot put and 60 meters portions of the event.
SOFTBALL
Contact: Ashley Springer - (435) 797-5547
This Week
at Silicon Valley Classic I, Santa Clara, California
Fri., Feb. 25 --- vs. Sacramento State, 2 p.m. (MT)
Fri., Feb. 25 --- at Santa Clara, 7 p.m. (MT)
Sat., Feb. 26 --- vs. Saint Mary's (DH), 1:30 p.m. (MT)
Sun., Feb. 27 --- vs. Cal Poly, 10 a.m. (MT)
• Utah State softball (3-5, 0-0 MW) continues its 2022 campaign at the Silicon Valley Classic I this weekend in Santa Clara, California. The Aggies first face Sacramento State (3-6) and Santa Clara (4-6) on Friday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. (MT) and 7 p.m. (MT), respectively. USU then takes on Saint Mary's (4-6) in a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 1:30 p.m. (MT) and 4 p.m. (MT). Utah State wraps up the classic by taking on Cal Poly (0-5) on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. (MT). All-time, the Aggies are 8-27 against the Hornets, 8-1 against the Broncos, 6-5 against the Gaels and 17-22 against the Mustangs.
Last Week
L, 5-9; W, 8-2 --- at Dixie State (DH)
L, 4-5 --- at Dixie State
• Utah State softball went 1-2 in a three-game series at Dixie State (L, 5-9; W, 8-2; L, 4-5). Four Aggies saw time in the circle, combining for an ERA of 5.53. The USU pitchers allowed 33 hits and 15 earned runs, while striking out seven batters and walking nine. Senior catcher Gabriella Jimenez led the Aggies at the plate after batting .417 (5-of-12) . As a team, USU hit .300 (27-of-90), including three doubles and one home run. Senior first baseman Bri Lerma was tops defensively, recording 16 putouts.
MEN'S TENNIS
Contact: Daniel Hansen - (435) 797-8584
This Week
Mon., Feb. 21 --- MONTANA STATE, Noon
Fri.-Sun., Feb. 25-27 --- at Arizona State Invite, Tempe, Arizona, TBA
• Utah State men's tennis (3-3, 0-0 MW) concludes its three-match home stand by hosting Montana State (8-1) on Monday, Feb. 21, at noon, at the Sports Academy & Racquet Club. The Aggies will then play three matches at the Arizona State Invite from Friday, Feb. 25 through Sunday, Feb. 27. Joining USU in the eight-team tournament will be host Arizona State (1-6), Cal Poly (5-1), Memphis (5-2), New Mexico (4-2), Rice (6-4), South Florida (2-4) and UC Santa Barbara (5-3).
Last Week
L, 3-4 --- DRAKE
• Utah State lost its only match last week at home to Drake, 4-3. The Aggies trailed 2-0 in singles play before junior David Cierny won at the No. 1 spot in straight sets (7-6 (7-5), 6-4) and junior Bodin Zarkovic won in three sets at the No. 2 spot (4-6, 6-4, 6-1) to tie the match. Freshman Sergi Micó Fenollar put USU a point away from victory with a three-sets win at the No. 4 spot (6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 6-4), before losses in the final two matches of singles play gave the match to the Bulldogs.
WOMEN'S TENNIS
Contact: Daniel Hansen - (435) 797-8584
This Week
Fri., Feb. 25 --- at Montana, 12:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 --- vs. Portland, Missoula, Montana, 10 a.m.
• Utah State women's tennis (2-1) continues its 2022 spring season this weekend with a match at Montana (2-2) on Friday, Feb. 25, at 12:30 p.m. USU will then face Portland (2-2) in Missoula, Montana, on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m.
Last Competition
W, 7-0 --- at Dixie State
W, 5-2 --- WEBER STATE
• Utah State went 2-0 two weekends ago with a 7-0 win at Dixie State and a 5-2 home win against Weber State. Against the Trailblazers, the Aggies scored the doubles point following a 6-0 win from juniors Zeynep Naz Ozturk and Carolina Millan at the first position and a 6-1 win from seniors Annaliese County and Gabrielle Dekkers at the third position. In singles play, sophomore Lisa Küng won in three sets at the No. 1 spot (6-3, 3-6, 6-1). Millan took the win at the No. 2 spot via retirement (5-7, 6-3, 1-0). Naz Ozturk won at the No. 3 spot in a third-set tiebreak (4-6, 6-3, 10-6). County won in straight sets at the No. 4 spot (6-1, 6-1). Dekkers also won in a third-set tiebreak at the No. 5 spot (6-3, 5-7, 10-3). And at the No. 6 spot, freshman Brooke Demerath won her first career dual match in straight sets (6-0, 6-1). Against the Wildcats, the Aggies lost the doubles point to start the match before storming back to win the first four matches of singles play to clinch the comeback victory. Junior Zara Ryan won at the No. 4 spot in straight sets (6-1, 6-2), followed by another straight-sets victory by Küng at the No. 2 spot (6-4, 6-3). At the No. 3 spot, County outlasted her opponent in three sets (6-4, 1-6, 6-4). Millan then clinched the match for the Aggies at the No. 1 spot with a three-sets win (6-3, 4-6, 6-1). Dekkers added extra cushion with a comeback victory at the No. 5 spot (1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 10-5).
GOLF
Contact: Wade Denniston - (435) 797-1361
Next Competition
Mon.-Tue, March 21-22 --- at UC San Diego Invite, All Day
• Utah State's golf team will continue its 2022 spring season on Monday and Tuesday, March 21-22, at the UC San Diego Invitational, held at La Costa in Carlsbad, California.
Last Competition
8th/14 --- at Southern Utah Invite, St. George, Utah
• Utah State shot an even-par 288 in the final round of the Southern Utah hosted-Pizza Hut-Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational, held at Sunbrook Golf Club in St. George, Utah, on Feb. 11-13. The Aggies finished in eighth place against the 14-team field as they posted a 54-hole team score of 7-over 871 (292-291-288). Javier Vazquez was one of four Aggies to shoot an even-par 72 on the third and final day as the sophomore tied for 16th at 1-under 215, a 54-hole career best. John Cook, making his collegiate debut and playing as an individual, tied for 29th at 2-over 218 after closing with a 3-over 75. The sophomore led USU during the first round with a 4-under 68. Freshmen Luis Gerardo Cantu and Julio Arronte Sanchez both shot even-par 72 during the final round and finished in a tie for 38th at 4-over 220. Seniors Jesse Henderson and Cameron Tucker tied for 47th (222, +6) and tied for 50th (223, +7), respectively. Tucker was the fourth Aggie to close with a 72 during the final round. Besides Cook, USU had two other golfers play as individuals. Sophomore Purin Yingpisit tied for 76th (234, +18) and redshirt sophomore Spencer Panter tied for 83rd (239, +23).
