LOS ANGELES – Against the No. 3-ranked team in the nation, Utah State women's basketball was unable to keep pace as the Aggies fell to USC 118-40 on Sunday evening at the Galen Center.
The highly-ranked Trojans took little time to back up their national ranking. The Aggies battled back in the opening minutes with baskets from senior guard
Aaliyah Gayles, senior guard
Kylani Rookstool and freshman forward
Nicole Ogun. After another Ogun jumper brought USU within 16-9, USC went on a 20-2 run to close out the first quarter and take command of the game which they never relinquished. The Trojans continued to play the aggressor in the second half, preventing Utah State from any attempt at a rally.
Rookstool led the Aggies with 12 points, going 5-of-10 from the floor, including a 2f-4 showing from the 3-point line, while adding a steal and a rebound. Sophomore center
Sami Mancini ended with 10 points alongside two rebounds and an assist. Ogun added six points, all in the opening 20 minutes, and added four rebounds. Gayles also added six points in her return to USC and added two assists, a rebound and a steal. Redshirt freshman
Mirembe Twehamye Montanana led USU with three assists and chipped three rebounds.
USU shot 28.1 percent (16-of-57) from the floor while USC shot 60.0 percent (48-of-80) overall. Highly-touted guard JuJu Watkins scored a game-high 32 points alongside 16 rebounds and six assists.
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Fans can follow USU women's basketball on Twitter, @USUWBasketball, on Instagram, @USUWBasketball, as well as on Facebook, at /USUWBB. Aggie fans can also follow Utah State Athletics on Twitter, @USUAthletics, on Instagram, @USUAthletics and on Facebook at /USUAthletics.
- USU -