Press Release
Utah State Eastern women’s basketball completed their non-conference schedule last week in the Cannery Las Vegas Holiday Tournament. The Eagles went 2-1 in the three-day tournament after a short break for the team to spend with their families for the holidays.
USU Eastern defeated Treasure Valley Community College 71-48 on Wednesday. The team followed up that game with a 94-74 win on Thursday against Lake Region State. On the final day of the tournament, the Eagles lost to the Southern Utah All-Stars, 71-58.
Although the week ended in a loss, USU Eastern head coach Chelsey Warburton said she was happy with the results.
“I was extremely happy with the way they played coming back from break. It gives us a good idea about where we are at going into conference season and where we have made progress,” said Warburton.
Sophomore Madison Loftus had another big week for the Eagles, averaging 17.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Against Lake Region State, Loftus tied a season-high 27 points.
Currently, Loftus ranks fourth in the country in three point shooting after making 61 threes.
Leading the Eagles on the glass in Las Vegas was sophomore forward Kaitlin Toluono. She finished the week averaging 11.7 rebounds per game, including a 17-rebound performance against Treasure Valley.
“She just is a solid player for us. She guards threes, fours and fives for us as as undersize post player and does very well at it,” said Warburton.
Toluono ranks fifth in the country in total rebounds with 165. She currently is averaging nine points and 10 rebounds per game for the Eagles.
Up next for the Eagles is Salt Lake Community College this Saturday inside the BDAC on the USU Eastern campus.
The Eagles have all week to prepare and get ready before school starts next Monday for a tough Salt Lake team who was last year’s Region XVIII champion.
“We have to stay focused and know that we are just as good as anyone in conference. We got to know that and work hard,” said Utah State Eastern freshman guard Brooklynn Barrus.
Utah State Eastern has a 13-4 overall record this season and are four wins away from exceeding last year’s win total of 16 wins.
For more information about the Utah State Eastern athletics and the women’s basketball program, check out the Utah State Eastern Athletics Facebook page.