Utah State Women’s Basketball faced a challenging matchup against Idaho on Sunday afternoon at ICCU Arena, ultimately falling 71-56. Despite multiple rallies to erase a double-digit deficit, the Aggies were unable to secure a comeback victory against the Vandals. Etruesports provides a full breakdown of the game’s key moments and standout performances.
A Spirited Comeback Falls Short
The game started with Idaho quickly building an 11-point lead in the first quarter, putting Utah State on the defensive early. However, the Aggies responded with an impressive 8-0 scoring run, led by freshman guard Elise Livingston. Livingston’s driving layup at the end of the first quarter ignited the rally, and she followed up with a buzzer-beating three-pointer in the second quarter, narrowing the deficit to just three points.
Idaho managed to extend their lead back to eight before Utah State’s junior guard Mia Tarver helped spark another rally. Tarver’s clutch three-pointer, combined with a fastbreak layup and free throws from Taliyah Logwood, fueled a 10-2 run that tied the game at 27-27. Despite the Aggies’ resilience, Idaho edged ahead once more and carried a slim 32-30 lead into halftime.
Second-Half Struggles
After an early basket by Sophie Sene to start the second half, Idaho responded with a commanding 14-2 run that put Utah State on the back foot. The Aggies attempted another push with a 10-0 run of their own, highlighted by a deep three-pointer from sophomore forward Gracie Johnson. However, Idaho’s offense remained steady, preventing Utah State from closing the gap and securing a 71-56 victory.
Utah State Women Basketball (image via Getty)Key Performances for Utah State
Despite struggling with shooting efficiency, Utah State had several notable individual performances:
- Elise Livingston led the Aggies with a career-high 16 points, shooting an efficient 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
- Taliyah Logwood contributed 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, providing an important offensive spark.
- Mia Tarver and Gracie Johnson each pulled down six rebounds. Tarver also added three steals, while Johnson recorded an impressive four blocks.
- The Aggies shot 31.9% from the field (22-of-69) and 27.6% from three-point range (8-of-29), struggling to find consistency against Idaho’s defense.
What’s Next for Utah State?
The Aggies return home to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Wednesday, Dec. 18, to face UC Riverside, marking their first home game after a month-long road trip. Following that matchup, Utah State will shift focus to their Mountain West Conference opener against Colorado State on Sunday, Dec. 29.
Season Tickets Available Now
Fans can purchase season tickets for the 2024-25 season online or by contacting the USU Ticket Office at (435) 797-0305.
For the latest updates on Utah State Women’s Basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@USUWBasketball), Instagram (@USUWBasketball), and Facebook (/USUWBB).
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