Utah State Women's Basketball Holding Open Scrimmage Thursday

Utah State [University] women's basketball will host an open scrimmage Thursday, Oct. 30, as a final preparation for next week's season-opening scrimmage. Practice begins at 4 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, with the scrimmage starting at 4:45 p.m.

Between the Aggie women and the volunteer scout team, three teams will be formed. The Blue team, comprised of the current top eight USU players, will play the scout team, followed by the White and Blue teams playing each other.

Utah State returns 10 letterwinners from last year’s squad that finished the season 15-16, with an 8-10 league record in its first season in the Mountain West. The team finished eighth in the league, advancing to the second round of the Mountain West Tournament.

The Aggies return four starters from last season’s lineup in senior guard Elise Nelson, who was named to the Mountain West all-Defensive team last season, senior forward Franny Vaaulu, junior guard/forward Stephanie Bairstow and junior guard Makenlee Williams, while working to replace All-American Jennifer Schlott. Other returners include senior guard/forward Jasmine Porter, senior guard/forward Ingrida Strikas, junior forward Tijana Djukic, junior guard Mariah Miles and sophomore guard Lynette Johnson.

The Aggies also welcome six new freshmen to this year’s roster, as well as a junior college transfer. Milanna Barnes (Hyrum, Utah), Tilar Clark (Idaho Falls, Idaho), Hannah Hutchins (Ledyard, Conn.), Signe Kyrkjebo (Bergen, Norway), Funda Nakkasoglu (Hampton, Victoria, Australia) and Baylee Peck (Leander, Texas) will be gaining their first college basketball experience, while junior Julianne Anchling (Faverges de la Tour, France) joins the Aggies from Trinity Valley Community College.

Along with newcomers to the roster, Utah State women’s basketball welcomes two additions to the coaching staff. Ben Finkebeiner joins his father on the Aggie coaching staff, coming from Boise State. JC Carter is the other new assistant, moving to Logan from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., where he was an assistant coach on the men’s basketball staff.

Utah State opens the season Monday, Nov. 3, in an exhibition game against Western New Mexico at 7 p.m. The season officially begins Friday, Nov. 14, in a game at Oregon, followed by playing at Oregon State Sunday, Nov. 16.

Aggie women's basketball tickets will be available by contacting the USU Athletics Ticket Office at (435) 797-0305 or at 1-888-U-STATE-1 (1-888-878-2831) for more information or visit the Utah State athletics web site at www.UtahStateAggies.com.

Fans can follow USU women's basketball on Twitter, on Instagram, as well as on Facebook. Aggie fans can also follow Utah State Athletics on Twitter, on Instagram and on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.

Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website.