LOGAN, Utah – Utah State women's basketball remained within reach of in-state foe Utah through the first 20 minutes of game time before falling behind in the second half en route to a 90-53 season-opening loss to the Utes on Friday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Utah delivered several punches in the opening stanza of the game but the Aggies responded each time with a counter of their own. After the Utes went up 8-0 to begin the contest, USU responded with layups from freshman guard Andjela Marojevic, senior guard Marina Asensio and senior center Sophie Sene to help cut the deficit back down to four points. The Utes re-extended their lead to 17 points by the end of the first quarter.

The Aggies excelled in the second quarter, immediately beginning with a 6-0 burst featuring a 3-pointer from junior guard Aaliyah Gayles and a layup from senior forward Rachel Wilson. Utah State further erased the deficit with an 8-2 run late in the quarter with an Asensio 3-pointer preceding five-straight points from senior guard Karyn Sanford on a 3-pointer and mid-range jumper, bringing USU within six points at 37-31 with less than a minute remaining in the half.

Utah State shot 60.0 percent (9-of-15) from the floor in the second quarter, including a 50.0 percent (4-of-8) mark from behind the arc. The Aggies recorded six assists on their nine made baskets in the frame and forced the Utes into six turnovers while only surrendering two of their own.

The Utes took control via a 12-0 run that spanned across halves. The visitors never relented, gradually increasing the lead throughout the third and fourth quarters on their way to the final score.

Asensio led the Aggies with 12 points, going 5-of-12 from the field and 2-of-5 from deep in addition to three rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Gayles and Sanford each added 11 points with Sanford also shooting 5-of-12 from the field while adding two rebounds, one block and a steal. Wilson finished with eight points, also tying for the team lead with three assists alongside Sanford. Wilson and Marojevic each grabbed five rebounds to lead the Aggies. 

USU shot 32.8 percent (21-of-64) from the field, 20.8 percent (5-of-24) from 3-point range and 42.9 percent (6-of-14) from the free throw line. The Aggies won the turnover battle, forcing the Utes into 20 turnovers while only turning the ball over 19 times themselves.

Up Next
Utah State heads to the road for the first time in 2025-26 to take on Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 2:30 p.m. (MT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Tickets
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here or by visiting the USU Ticket Office. Single-game tickets and mini-plans will go on sale at a later date.

Fans can follow USU women's basketball on Twitter, @USUWBasketball, on Instagram, @USUWBasketball, as well as on Facebook, at /USUWBB. Aggie fans can also follow Utah State Athletics on Twitter, @USUAthletics, on Instagram, @USUAthletics and on Facebook at /USUAthletics.
 
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