Jan. 8, 2009

Box Score | Photo Gallery

LOGAN, Utah - Four players in double-digits, paced by Chelsea Burns' career-high 15 points, led Utah State to a 72-58 win over New Mexico State in Western Athletic Conference women's basketball action Thursday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

The victory snapped USU's three-game losing skein, as the navy-clad Aggies improved to 7-8 overall and 1-1 in WAC play. NMSU lost its seventh-straight game, dropping to 4-11 overall and 0-1 in WAC action.

The northern Aggies also snapped a two-game losing streak to the southern Aggies and USU is now 10-15 vs. NMSU, including 4-3 in WAC games.

Thursday marked the first time this season that four Aggies posted double-digits, as Burns' 15 points was matched by senior guard Ana Pares and junior forward Lydia Whitehead while senior guard Danyelle Snelgro netted 13 points to go with a career-high nine assists, part of USU's season-best 20 helpers, as sophomore guard Alice Coddington added six assists. Pares has now scored in double-figures six-straight games.

Snelgro matched a season-high with five steals, which gives her 175 for her career, tying Margaret Johns (1980-83), for the USU career steals record.

New Mexico State had three players in double-digits, led by Tabytha Wampler's 15 points before fouling out. Madison Spence tallied 14 points, while Danisha Corbett tossed in 11. Niki Holt pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, as NMSU had a 39-32 rebounding advantage, marking the second time that USU has won when being out-rebounded. The navy-clad Aggies were led by Pares' six rebounds, while Burns and Whitehead added five boards apiece.

The home Aggies pulled away from an 17-all tie with six unanswered points on a three-pointer by Burns and three Snelgro free throws for a 23-17 lead with 8:33 left in the first frame and took a 32-27 lead into halftime. USU improved to 4-2 when leading at the break.

Less than seven minutes into the second half, Whitehead gave USU its first double-digit lead of the game at 45-35 on a layup. The northern Aggies' lead swelled to 19 at 58-39 on a free throw from sophomore guard Amber White, who had a career-best eight points Thursday. NMSU trimmed the gap to 11 at 65-54 with 3:13 to go on a three-pointer from Corbett, but USU closed out the game with a 7-4 spurt for the victory.

Utah State ended the night shooting 45.8 percent (27-of-59) from the floor, including 6-of-13 (46.2 percent), just off its season-best three-point percentage of 47.6 percent. The navy Aggies also were 12-of-17 (70.6 percent) at the free throw line.

New Mexico State shot 19-of-53 (35.8 percent) field goal shooting, making 4-of-15 (26.7 percent) behind the arc. The maroon Aggies were 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the charity stripe.

USU continues its four-game homestand on Saturday, Jan. 10, hosting Louisiana Tech at 7 p.m. The Aggies are in search of their first win against the Lady Techsters, as Louisiana Tech holds the series lead 6-0.

All Utah State games can be heard on KLGN (1390 AM) in Logan with Evan Nyman calling the play-by-play and Ashley Rutledge providing color commentary for home games. They can also be heard on the web by going to the Utah State Athletics home page at www.UtahStateAggies.com.