Utah State University’s women’s basketball team lost to Nevada in overtime, 72-69, on Tuesday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The Aggies came back from a 13-point deficit in the first half and later erased a five-point gap in the final minute of regulation but could not secure the win.
Sophomore guard Elise Livingston led Utah State with 21 points, just one shy of her career high. She also made four three-pointers and had three assists. Junior guard Aaliyah Gayles contributed 15 points, while senior guard/forward Jamisyn Heaton added 14 points along with three rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Senior guard Karyn Sanford scored 10 points and recorded seven rebounds and four assists. Senior forward Rachel Wilson led the team with eight rebounds.
Nevada started strong in the second quarter with a 13-4 run that put them ahead by 13 points. Utah State responded by closing out the half on a 17-2 run, taking their first lead at halftime after key plays from Macie Brown, Livingston, Sanford, and Heaton.
The Aggies extended their lead early in the third quarter before Nevada countered with a scoring stretch to regain control heading into the fourth period. In the final minutes of regulation, Utah State narrowed Nevada’s lead to three after consecutive layups by Gayles. Livingston hit her fourth three-pointer to bring USU closer, and Heaton tied the game at the free throw line after being fouled on a rebound.
In overtime, Utah State managed only a pair of free throws from Sanford for much of the period as Nevada rebuilt its lead. Livingston drew a foul late but missed her free throw intentionally; freshman Aitana Rosello Lopez grabbed an offensive rebound but could not convert as time expired.
Utah State shot 36.7 percent from the field and achieved its season-best percentage from beyond the arc at 46.7 percent (7-of-15). The team also shot 75 percent from the free throw line. Nevada finished shooting over 43 percent overall but struggled from both long range (18.8 percent) and at the free throw line (44.8 percent).
Before tipoff, Utah State honored seniors Marina Asensio, Jamisyn Heaton, Karyn Sanford, Sophie Sene, and Rachel Wilson during Senior Day ceremonies.
With this loss, Utah State falls to a record of 6-23 overall and will enter the Mountain West Tournament as the No. 11 seed facing Grand Canyon on Saturday at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Fans can follow updates about Utah State women’s basketball through social media channels including Twitter (@USUWBasketball), Instagram (@USUWBasketball), Facebook (/USUWBB), as well as general athletics accounts for broader coverage.
