LOGAN, Utah (Interstat) — In a game that defied pregame projections and swung on a decisive fourth-quarter surge, the Utah State women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 80-73 victory over Idaho on Saturday at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

The Aggies, entering the contest as significant underdogs according to advanced metrics, improved to 4-5 on the season by outlasting the Vandals, who fell to 8-4. The win was anchored by a balanced offensive attack and crucial plays down the stretch, overcoming a national statistical system that had given Idaho an 88.8 percent probability to win.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final period. Utah State entered the fourth quarter with a slender 57-54 lead, a margin built on consistent scoring across the first three frames where they posted 20, 18 and 19 points, respectively. Idaho, which scored 14, 26 and 16 in those same quarters, stayed within striking distance behind the play of Ana Pinheiro, who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Hope Hassmann, who tallied 14 points and eight assists.

But the Aggies seized control with a 23-point fourth quarter, their highest output of the game, to finally create separation from a persistent Vandal squad. The key sequence came midway through the period. With Utah State leading 68-65, the Aggies forced a turnover and converted it into a fast-break layup by Jamisyn Heaton, who scored 15 points. On the ensuing possession, a defensive stop led to a three-pointer from Sophie Sene, pushing the lead to eight points and forcing an Idaho timeout with just over five minutes remaining.

Idaho, which had battled back from an early first-quarter deficit to briefly lead in the second quarter, could not mount a final rally. The Vandals managed only 17 points in the final quarter, unable to string together enough stops to close the gap against a Utah State team that found answers at every turn.

Utah State’s victory was a product of standout performances from its core players. Aaliyah Gayles, the team’s top star, led all scorers with 18 points and added nine rebounds, continuing a run of strong play after scoring 20 points against San Diego earlier in the week. Sophie Sene provided a major spark with 17 points and eight rebounds, including several timely three-pointers. Jamisyn Heaton’s 15 points and Marina Asensio’s 11 points and four assists provided crucial supplementary scoring.

For Idaho, the effort was led by Pinheiro and Hassmann, while Kyra Gardner recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Vandals’ offense, which had been potent in recent wins, was held in check just enough by the Aggies’ defense, particularly in the game-defining final minutes.

The announced attendance was 442 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Nibley.

Idaho will look to rebound when it hosts Western Oregon on Dec. 20. Utah State continues its homestand, facing Air Force on Dec. 17 before traveling to Colorado State on Dec. 20.