Game Notes: USU Women's Basketball Set for Season-Opening Weekend

Game notes for Nov. 14 and Nov. 16

AGGIES vs. HORNETS
Saturday, Nov. 14 • 2 p.m. • Logan, Utah

AGGIES vs. GRIFFINS
Monday, Nov. 16 • 7 p.m. • Logan, Utah

TIP-OFF — Utah State women’s basketball (0-0) opens regulation play for the 2015-16 season this week. The Aggies host Sacramento State (0-0) in the season-opener Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. USU will then have a quick turnaround as it hosts Westminster (0-0) Monday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m.

FOLLOWING THE AGGIES — All regular-season home and Mountain West games will continue to be broadcast through the Aggie Digital Network and the Mountain West Network this season, powered by Campus Insiders. All USU games will also be broadcast on the radio on 107.7 KLZX in Cache Valley, as well as an online stream, with Craig Hislop on the call. Live stats and play-by-play information will be available through GameTracker, while updates will also be provided through the team’s social media outlets. Links to each option will be available online prior to every game.

SCOUTING SACRAMENTO STATE — Saturday will be the season-opener for both Utah State and Sacramento State. The Hornets played one exhibition game this season, topping Cal State East Bay, 85-78 at home. Last season, Sacramento State finished with an 18-16 record, going 13-5 in Big Sky action. The Hornets fell in the semifinal game of the Big Sky Tournament, but earned a spot in the WNIT, where they advanced to the third round. The season came to an end in a 77-69 loss to St. Mary’s in the program’s first-ever postseason play.

The Hornets return two starters this season in junior forward Gretchen Harrigan and sophomore guard Maranne Johnson. Joining them are nine other letterwinners, while the team lost just four players to graduation or transfer. A fast-paced offense, Sacramento State averaged 85.6 points per game last season. The team allowed 80.8 points per game and was out-rebounded by an average of 7.8 each game. Living by the 3-point shot, the Hornets led the NCAA in treys taken, going 424-of-1,339 on the year. Bunky Harkleroad is in his third year at the helm of the CSUS program, where he has compiled a 36-28 record.

The Aggies and Hornets have met on the court just once, playing in Sacramento last season. Despite shooting a school record 70.7 percent (41-of-58) from the field, Utah State fell, 102-92.

SCOUTING WESTMINSTER — Formerly an NAIA institution, Westminster is beginning its transition to a Division II program, a process that will take three years. Over the next three seasons, the Griffins will compete as a provisional member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, but will not be eligible for conference tournament or postseason play.

Monday’s game will be an exhibition for Westminster, while it will count on Utah State’s official record. The Griffins will open their season at the Skyhawks Regional Challenge this weekend, playing host Fort Lewis and Adams State. Last season, Westminster finished with a 26-3 record, ranking fourth in the NAIA Top 25 and completing the season in the second round of the national tournament. The Griffins were named Frontier League champions with a 13-1 conference record, while also winning the conference tournament.

The Griffins look to replace their entire starting lineup this season, but return three letterwinners. Senior forward Mika Pinner is the top returner for the team, as she averaged 6.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season. A defensive team, Westminster averaged 64.7 points per game last season while allowing its opponents to score an average of 49.2 points per game. Shelley Jarrard is entering her fourth season as the head coach at Westminster with an overall record of 102-18.

The Aggies and Griffins met for the first time last year, with Westminster traveling to Logan. Utah State won the matchup, 60-51.

(Read much more in the full game notes at the Athletics website.)

Game Notes - Sacramento State & Westminster 

Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website.