January 7, 2006 (USU Media Relations) LOGAN, Utah - Taylor Richards scored a career-high 28 points and Danyelle Snelgro scored five key points in overtime as Utah State defeated Fresno State 81-75 in overtime in women's basketball action here Saturday night.

    With the win, USU improved to 5-9 overall and 1-1 in the Western Athletic Conference.  Fresno State fell to 8-7 and 1-1.

    Fresno State forced overtime by scoring the final three points in regulation, including a layup by Erica Henry at the buzzer to force the extra five minutes.

    Fresno continued its scoring streak as Chntella Perera scored a layup to start the extra period.  The teams exchanged points in overtime and the visitors went ahead 73-72 after a layup by Andrea Roberson at the 2:42 mark.

    However Snelgro hit a three-pointer to put the Aggies up at 75-73 at the 2:08 mark and then added two free throws to give USU a 77-73 advantage as the lead later reached six points.

    Four Aggies scored in double-figures paced by the career-best of 28 by Richards.  The junior point guard hit eight of 15 shots from the field as well as 10 of 11 free throws.  She also became the school's career assist leader early in the game and her three handouts gave her 248 in her three years.

    Brittany Hagen chipped in 14 points, while both Jenny Gross and Snelgro added 11.  Brittany Phillips, the team's fifth starter matched her career high with nine rebounds, including seven offensive boards.

    Fresno State had four players in double figures as well, including Perera, who finished with 17.

    USU shot 43.1 percent from the field and made every shot attempt in the overtime period, including all three of its field goal and all eight of its free throw attempts.  Fresno State shot 50.0 percent for the game, but turned the ball over 27 times.  The Aggies turned those turnovers in 32 points.

    The overtime game was USU's first since winning at UC Riverside 70-63 on Jan. 22, 2005.

    The second half was filled with six-point runs as Fresno State had a six-point run to pull within 54-52 early in the period, but USU responded with its own 6-0 to pull ahead 60-52.  The visitors once again went on a 6-0 run to get within 60-58 before the Aggies went ahead 62-58.

    Utah State will return to action hosting Idaho on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. in its only game during the week.  The Aggies will then travel to Louisiana Tech on Monday, Jan. 15 and host San Jose State on Saturday, Jan. 20 the following week.