Utah State beats Idaho in statement nonconference win
Utah State Women’s Basketball head coach Wesley Brooks called it the strongest win of his tenure, and the result on Dec. 13 backed that up.
Behind a career shooting performance from center Sophie Sene and a physical, composed effort across four quarters, Utah State knocked off Idaho 80-73 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, handing the Vandals just their fourth loss in 12 games this season.
Idaho entered the afternoon ranked No. 108 in the NET, averaging 82.7 points per game, No. 21 nationally, and 48.5 rebounds per game, No. 5. Utah State held the Vandals under both of those averages, limiting Idaho to 73 points and 46 rebounds while controlling the pace late.
“This is the strongest win we’ve had since I’ve been the coach,” Brooks said. “Probably the strongest win this program has had in the last four or five years. This was a really good team.”
With this victory, Utah State improved to 4-5, already matching last season’s win total before conference play begins.
The Aggies set the tone early with physical drives and timely shooting. After Idaho generated several second-chance looks in the opening minutes, Utah State answered behind Jamisyn Heaton’s downhill attacks and early perimeter shooting from Sene.
Sene buried 2 first-quarter 3-pointers — which was already her career high in 3-point makes — as Utah State built a 20–14 lead after one. The Aggies attacked the paint consistently, a point of emphasis after a difficult road trip the previous weekend.
“We really came ready to play,” Sene said. “The plan was to rebound, defend without fouling, share the ball. We really looked like a team.”
Idaho responded in the second quarter behind its rebounding advantage and physical play, briefly taking control late in the half. Despite Sene drilling her third and fourth threes of the game and Marina Asensio hitting from deep, Idaho closed the half on a run to take a 40-38 lead into the break.
But Utah State emerged from halftime with renewed aggression.
Heaton scored twice on strong takes early in the third quarter as the Aggies reclaimed the lead and ramped up defensive pressure. Utah State forced 5 steals in the third, flipping momentum through hustle plays and quick decisions.
A sequence midway through the quarter proved pivotal. Rachel Wilson rebounded her own missed free throw, leading to a kick-out 3 from Elise Livingston, and then Asensio jumped an inbound pass and converted 2 free throws. The 4-point swing pushed Utah State back in front and energized the home crowd.
By the end of the third, Utah State clung to a 57-56 lead.
“We just tried to take away their pace,” Brooks said. “We managed the game [and] played to a pace that we could play to.”
Sene continued her breakout performance early in the fourth, knocking down her fifth 3-pointer to stretch the lead to 5. Idaho continued to push in transition, but Utah State answered with poise.
Aaliyah Gayles took control down the stretch, attacking the basket, drawing fouls and knocking down key shots. She rose for a crucial rebound and then hit a step-back jumper to extend the lead before sealing the game at the free-throw line.
Heaton’s coast-to-coast steal and score, Livingston’s crafty finish inside and multiple defensive stops highlighted Utah State’s toughness late. The Aggies out-executed Idaho in the final minutes, holding the Vandals to just 2 field goals over the last three-and-a-half minutes.
“We talked about our championship habits,” Brooks said. “We talked about believing in what we’re doing. We talk about relentless effort, consistency, discipline and staying together. And that’s what I saw in the fourth quarter.”
Utah State finished with balanced scoring and decisive ball movement, avoiding the late-clock stagnation that plagued earlier games. Idaho, projected by ESPN bracketology as a Big Sky champion and NCAA tournament team, was limited to just eight free-throw attempts and struggled to find rhythm late.
Sene said the team’s physicality was no accident.
“This week, practice was really tough,” she said. “It was all about rebounding, being physical, being tough, grabbing the 50-50 balls, and that’s what we did in the game.”
The win sends Utah State into Mountain West play with momentum and belief.
“This bodes well for us,” Brooks said. “We tied our win mark from last year … already in December. I think this team has a high ceiling. Obviously, we’ve had to grow and continue to gel, but I think we can do some special things as we move forward.”
Utah State opens conference play on Dec. 17, hosting Air Force at 6 p.m. at the Spectrum.