Utah State women’s basketball achieved a significant victory in their final nonconference matchup of the 2025-26 season, triumphing over Idaho with a score of 80-73 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Saturday afternoon. The game showcased standout performances, particularly from senior center Sophie Sene, who scored 17 points on a highly efficient 5-of-6 shooting, including a career-best five 3-pointers. Notably, Sene made history as the first player 6-foot-3 or taller in the Mountain West to make five 3-pointers in a game since Boise State’s Mallory McGwire accomplished the feat during the 2020-21 season.
Junior guard Aaliyah Gayles led the team with 18 points, while both Gayles and Sene were key contributors on the boards, securing nine and eight rebounds, respectively. The scoring was further bolstered by senior guard/forward Jamisyn Heaton, who added 15 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, alongside five rebounds. Senior guard Marina Asensio rounded out the notable performances with 11 points and a team-high four assists, and also contributed defensively with three steals, a mark matched by Heaton.
The game was highly competitive, featuring 17 lead changes and 10 ties throughout the match. Sene initiated the Aggies’ scoring from beyond the arc in the opening quarter, hitting her first two 3-pointers and igniting a 9-3 run that closed the frame, giving Utah State a 20-14 advantage. The Vandals responded with a quick 7-0 run to start the second quarter but the Aggies countered with a 9-0 run of their own, highlighted by another 3-pointer from Sene, pushing USU ahead 32-26. However, Idaho rallied again, ending the half with six consecutive points to take a narrow 40-38 lead into the locker room.
Emerging from halftime, Utah State quickly reclaimed the lead as Heaton scored back-to-back layups. The match remained tightly contested, with neither team able to establish a lead greater than three points over nearly ten minutes. A pivotal 6-0 run, sparked by two field goals from Asensio, eventually gave the Aggies a 65-61 lead with just over six minutes on the clock. Sene’s fifth 3-pointer of the game helped maintain USU’s edge, and Gayles played a critical role down the stretch, scoring six of the team’s next eight points and sealing the win with perfect free-throw shooting.
Defensively, Utah State excelled in the final minutes, limiting Idaho to only two made field goals over a stretch of nearly six minutes, which allowed the Aggies to build a comfortable lead. Free throws by Heaton extended their lead to double digits with just over a minute left, solidifying the 80-73 victory.
For the game, Utah State achieved a season-high shooting percentage of 48.3%, making 29 of their 60 attempts, including an impressive 40.0% from beyond the arc. They effectively managed to hold Idaho to just 37.7% shooting from the field and 25.0% from three-point range. Furthermore, USU capitalized on their defensive intensity, forcing 15 turnovers and converting them into a significant 22-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
With this victory, Utah State improved to 4-5, matching their win total from the previous season with over 20 games left to play. This 4-5 record in nonconference play also marks their best performance by winning percentage against nonconference opponents since the 2021-22 season.
Looking ahead, the Aggies (4-5, 0-0 MW) are set to begin Mountain West play next week, starting with a home game against Air Force on Wednesday, December 17, at 6 p.m. (MT), followed by a road matchup against Colorado State on Saturday, December 20, at 1 p.m. (MT). Fans interested in attending can purchase season tickets, mini-plans, and single-game tickets online or directly at the USU Ticket Office. For ongoing updates and engagement, fans can follow USU women’s basketball on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
