USU women B-ball still on winning track
It must be that Spectrum magic, because it sure felt like there was some going on during Sunday afternoon as the Lady Aggies needed two overtimes to beat the Idaho Vandals 70-64 for USU’s annual “Think Pink and Bleed Blue” game.
For the fans that actually went to the game, many were in for a treat as they witnessed back and forth basketball all afternoon. The Vandals led for the entire first half, pushed by their top two players, Yinka Olorunnife and Derisha Tenleni. But Utah State’s Danyelle Snelgro was unstoppable as she torched the Vandals with a barrage of three pointers and jump shots to keep the Aggies within range.
During the second half, the Aggies kept getting close to the Vandals but couldn’t get over the hump until the 4-minute mark when forward Shawnta Pope gave the Aggies their second lead of the game with a driving layup.
Both teams took turns taking the lead the rest of the half as the teams went to the free throw line for some one-in-ones. USU had a chance at the end of regulation as Snelgro drove to the basket but had her shot blocked to send it to the first overtime.
Chelsea Burns started off the first overtime with a clutch three pointer to give the Aggies a three-point lead. But as the Vandals did all night, they remain poised and calm and came and answered right back with a layup by Rachele Kloke. Idaho had numerous chances to seal the game away, but missed free throws kept the Aggies within reach.
Idaho’s Shaena Kuehu finally hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 58-58. The Aggies then looked like they had it won when Burns drove into the lane and looked like she got fouled ,but no call was found, leading to another overtime.
As the second overtime began, the Aggies’ Lydia Whithead kept getting to the free throw line and a put back layup put the Aggies up three. A series of turnovers and hardcore defense by the Ags finally left the Vandals at a loss of words and the Aggies pulled away with 20 seconds left when an Ana Pares layup sealed the deal.
The Aggies were led by Snelgro who put in a game high 28 points on 11-20 shooting. Ana Pares got 12 points, and Alice Coddington chipped in 10 and brought down 14 rebounds.
The Vandals were led by Olorunnife who ended with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Anyone who came to the game wearing pink received free admittance and the first 150 fans received a free pair of pink crocs provided by the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association. Both teams wore pink warm-ups and attire during the game to support breast cancer awareness.
The Aggies are now in a four-way tie for third place in the WAC with a record of 7-5. Their next game is on the road against New Mexico State on Thursday. They return home Saturday February 28 against Louisiana Tech.