LOGAN, Utah (Interstat) — Utah State edged Idaho 80-73 in a women’s NCAA basketball game Saturday at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The Aggies led wire-to-wire after a 20-point first quarter but could not pull away. The Vandals cut the deficit to five points in the fourth quarter before Utah State secured the win with a 23-point final period. Bella Cosme led a balanced Utah State effort. Utah State improved to 4-5. Idaho, which entered as a heavy statistical favorite, fell to 8-4. Attendance was 442.

LOGAN, Utah (Interstat) — In a game that defied pregame projections and swung on a decisive fourth-quarter surge, the Utah State women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 80-73 victory over Idaho on Saturday at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The Aggies, entering the contest as significant underdogs according to advanced metrics, improved to 4-5 on the season by outlasting the Vandals, who fell to 8-4. The win was anchored by a balanced offensive attack and crucial plays down the stretch, overcoming a national statistical system that had given Idaho an 88.8 percent probability to win. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final period. Utah State entered the fourth quarter with a slender 57-54 lead, a margin built on consistent scoring across the first three frames where they posted 20, 18 and 19 points, respectively. Idaho, which scored 14, 26 and 16 in those same quarters, stayed within striking distance behind the play of Ana Pinheiro, who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Hope Hassmann, who tallied 14 points and eight assists. But the Aggies seized control with a 23-point fourth quarter, their highest output of the game, to finally create separation from a persistent Vandal squad. The key sequence came midway through the period. With Utah State leading 68-65, the Aggies forced a turnover and converted it into a fast-break layup by Jamisyn Heaton, who scored 15 points. On the ensuing possession, a defensive stop led to a three-pointer from Sophie Sene, pushing the lead to eight points and forcing an Idaho timeout with just over five minutes remaining. Idaho, which had battled back from an early first-quarter deficit to briefly lead in the second quarter, could not mount a final rally. The Vandals managed only 17 points in the final quarter, unable to string together enough stops to close the gap against a Utah State team that found answers at every turn. Utah State’s victory was a product of standout performances from its core players. Aaliyah Gayles, the team’s top star, led all scorers with 18 points and added nine rebounds, continuing a run of strong play after scoring 20 points against San Diego earlier in the week. Sophie Sene provided a major spark with 17 points and eight rebounds, including several timely three-pointers. Jamisyn Heaton’s 15 points and Marina Asensio’s 11 points and four assists provided crucial supplementary scoring. For Idaho, the effort was led by Pinheiro and Hassmann, while Kyra Gardner recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Vandals’ offense, which had been potent in recent wins, was held in check just enough by the Aggies’ defense, particularly in the game-defining final minutes. The announced attendance was 442 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Nibley. Idaho will look to rebound when it hosts Western Oregon on Dec. 20. Utah State continues its homestand, facing Air Force on Dec. 17 before traveling to Colorado State on Dec. 20.

Idaho Vandals Look to Bounce Back Against Utah State Aggies NIBLEY, Utah (Interstat) — The Idaho Vandals, seeking to rebound from a midweek road loss, will face the Utah State Aggies in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Idaho (8-3) enters the contest after a 61-68 defeat at California on Wednesday. The Vandals have been potent offensively, averaging 80.5 points per game, but have dropped two of their last three outings. Utah State (3-5) has lost four straight, including a 66-70 setback at San Diego on Sunday. The Aggies have struggled to find consistent scoring outside of recent performances. A key matchup will feature Idaho’s Ana Pinheiro against Utah State’s Aaliyah Gayles. Pinheiro, a player to watch for the Vandals, is coming off a 14-point performance in 34 minutes against California. Over her last eight games, she has shown versatility as a scorer and defender. Gayles has been a bright spot for the Aggies during their skid, averaging 16.3 points over her last three contests. She scored a season-high 20 points with four assists in the loss to San Diego. Idaho’s offense has been balanced, with six players averaging at least 7.5 points per game. Utah State will need to improve defensively after allowing opponents to average 68.6 points during its losing streak. This is the final nonconference tune-up for Utah State before Mountain West play begins later this month. Idaho will wrap up its nonleague schedule next week before starting Big Sky Conference action in January. The game tips off at 2 p.m. MST on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.