Cougars look to get back in win column against Utah State

PROVO, Utah — BYU looks to get back to winning ways as the Cougars host the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Marriott Center.

BYU and Utah State will tip off at 3 p.m. MT with the game broadcast live on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Spencer Linton and Kristen Kozlowski on the call. Fans can also tune in for live play-by-play with Jason Shepherd on BYU Radio 107.9 FM or BYU Radio.org/BYU Radio app.

Series Breakdown

The Cougars hold a stronghold on the Aggies, leading the series 40-4 overall and 19-2 at the Marriott Center. BYU has won the last five meetings, including a 64-54 win at the Spectrum on Dec. 6 last year. 

BYU Cougars (6-2, 0-0 Big 12)

• Efficient and Effective: The Cougars are shooting a blistering 49.1 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from three through eight games. In 2022-23, Whiting’s team scored 63.7 points per game compared to the 71.8 points in 2023-24. Last season, BYU only had Lauren Gustin (16.1) and Nani Falatea (15.3) who averaged double-figure points. This year, Whiting’s squad has increased that number with Gustin (16.4), Kailey Woolston (16.0), Amari Whiting (11.0), Emma Calvert (9.6) and Falatea (8.7). 
• Sharing the rock: Last season, BYU garnered an 11-3 record when three players scored in double figures compared to a 2-10 mark when less than 3 players broke the 10-point threshold. The Cougars have assisted on 127 of 212 (.599) made field goals this season and have had three or more players score in double figures in seven of the first eight games. Calvert (12), Gustin (17) and Woolston (17) each finished in double-figures against the Utes last Saturday. BYU is 4-1 this season when three players score 10 or more points.

• National Leader Once Again: After a season in which Lauren Gustin led all NCAA divisions, men’s or women’s, by grabbing 16.7 rebounds per contest in 2022-23, finished second in total rebounds at 552 behind only LSU’s Angel Reese who played in three more games and bested the all-time BYU record of 462 set by BYU Hall of Famer and 1980 National Player of the Year Tina Gunn, Gustin again looks to make history. Through eight games, Gustin leads the nation in total rebounds (116), rebounding average (14.5), defensive rebounds per game (10.9) and double-doubles (6).

Head Coach – Amber Whiting

• Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
• Division I Career Record: 22-19 (2^nd Season)
• Record at BYU:  22-19 (2^nd Season)

Utah State Aggies (3-4, 0-0 Mountain West Conference)

• Cheyenne Stubbs: Stubbs is the leading scorer for the Aggies and can fill up the stat sheet. The junior transferred to Utah State from Cansius in Buffalo, NY and has made an immediate impact in Logan. She scores 15.4 points per contest on 49.4 percent from the field while grabbing 3.4 boards, dishing 2.3 assists and snatching 2.3 steals.
• Skye Miller: Miller is the only other Aggie to score in double figures each game, averaging 11.0 points on 40.9 percent shooting. She is also Utah State's leading rebounder at 4.7 boards per game and averages 2.1 assists.
• Turnover Trouble: The Aggies are coughing the ball up 19.7 times per game through seven games with a turnover margin of -3.1. The Cougars have had turnover issues of their own, turning it over 17.4 times per contest but have limited that number to 12 and 15 the last two games.

Head Coach – Kayla Ard

• Alma Mater: Southeastern Louisiana, 2010
• Division I Career Record: 29-73 (5th Season)
• Record at Utah State: 22-69 (4th Season)