Box Score FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Utah State women's basketball started strong at Moby Arena before falling in a defensive-centric game against Colorado State, 55-46, on Saturday afternoon.

The Aggies scored the first seven points of the game with senior center Sophie Sene powering the start with a pair of 3-pointers. A layup by junior guard Aaliyah Gayles plus another 3-pointer from senior guard/forward Jamisyn Heaton pushed USU's lead to 10 points at 12-2 over midway through the opening quarter. The Aggie defense also showed out, holding the Rams to only five points in the first quarter en route to a 14-5 advantage. An injury forced Gayles out of the contest late in the opening frame, robbing USU of a prominent offensive creator and ballhandler for the remainder of the contest.

Utah State's defense continued to keep the Aggies in the contest as USU held the Rams to 18.8 percent (6-of-32) shooting in the first half, including 8.3 percent (1-of-12) from 3-point range, allowing USU to maintain a 21-18 lead heading into halftime. In the second half, however, the Aggies were unable to keep up with the Rams as the home side built a double-digit lead in the third quarter. USU battled back within single digits on several occasions in the final quarter but was unable to complete a comeback as CSU took the 55-46 win.

Senior guard Marina Asensio led Utah State with 10 points, also leading the team with three assists. Sene finished with nine points plus six rebounds while Heaton added eight points plus a team-high seven rebounds and sophomore guard Elise Livingston finished with eight points. Heaton, Asensio and sophomore forward Macie Brown all tied for the team lead with two steals apiece.

USU shot 26.4 percent (14-of-53) from the floor, including 25.0 percent (7-of-28) from behind the arc while holding CSU to 31.0 percent (18-of-58) from the floor and 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from deep. 

Up Next
The Aggies (5-6, 1-1 MW) return to conference play after the holiday break, hosting San Jose State on New Year's Eve at 1 p.m. (MT) at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Tickets
Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here or by visiting the USU Ticket Office.

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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