Nov. 28, 2008

EL PASO, Texas - Behind 17-point performances from senior guards Ana Pares and Danyelle Snelgro, the Utah State women's basketball team captured a, 50-47, win over Texas State to advance to the championship game of the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic in El Paso, Texas. This was the first meeting between the Aggies and the Bobcats.

With the win the Aggies improve to 3-2 which is the first time USU has been above .500 since Dec. 4, 2004. USU also won back-to-back games for the first time since defeating Nevada and Fresno State back-to-back on Feb. 21 and Feb. 24 last season.

Both Pares and Snelgro came one point away from tying their career highs. Pares scored 18 in a win against Northern Arizona on Nov.19, while Snelgro put up 18 in a road loss to Utah Valley in 2006. On the boards, junior Nicole Johnson led the way with seven rebounds. Snelgro also added a game-high four steals.

The Aggies earned their only half time lead of the season by out-rebounding the Bobcats 18-12 in the first stanza, while adding five fast break points. Once again the Aggies were led by the pair of Pares and Snelgro. In the first half, Pares led all scorers with six points off of two three-pointers. Snelgro had a solid first half with six points two assists and two steals.

Utah State came out strong taking an early 10-2 lead off of baskets by Snelgro, Lydia Whitehead and a three by Pares. With five minutes remaining in the first half, the Bobcats would only have nine points. Texas State would end the half with 13 points as the Aggies took a 23-13 lead into the locker room. The 13 first-half points was the fewest allowed by USU in a half this season. The previous low was 16 in the second half by Montana State-Northern on Nov. 24.

In the second half, the Bobcats came out strong cutting the lead down to seven points early in the second half after a 6-0 run. A jumper by Chika Ofoegbu with 6:51 remaining would cut the lead ever farther to 38-35. With 5:42 left in the second half the Bobcats cut the lead down to 38-37 after a Victoria Davis jumper.

Texas State would get no closer as clutch free throws by Snelgro helped seal the Aggie victory. Overall, USU's free-throw shooting was much better as the Aggies shot 66.7 percent (16-for-24) from the charity stripe. USU shot 37.5 percent from the field (15-for-40), as Texas State shot 35.8 percent (19-for-53).

Once again the Aggie defense, which is first in the Western Athletic Conference, was solid. USU had 14 steals and two blocks by Whitehead and fellow junior Nicole Johnson. The Aggies have only allowed over 50 points twice this, allowing only 52.8 points per game this season.

The Aggies will now take on the winner of the game between host UTEP and Monmouth. USU is 5-0 against UTEP all-time with the last meeting taking place in 1979. The Aggies have never faced Monmouth. Tip off is set for 7:05 pm. MT on Saturday.

Live stats will be available for all games of the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic through the women's basketball page on www.utahstateaggies.com, by clicking on GameTracker in the current events box.

Tournament ScheduleFriday, Nov. 28, 2008Utah State def. Texas State, 50-47 (Game One)UTEP vs. Monmouth- 7:05 p.m. (Game Two)
Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008Texas State vs. Loser game 2- 4:35 p.m. (Third/Fourth-Place Game)Utah State vs. winner game 2- 7:05 p.m. (Championship Game)