Back In Beasley, Cougs Face No, 25 Kentucky Sunday

Sunday, November 19

Pullman, WA

1:00 PM

Washington State University

Kentucky

November 17, 2017 | Women's Basketball

Game Notes (PDF) Pac-12 Network Live Stats

WSU takes on the Wildcats in its home opener Sunday afternoon.

By: Athletic Communications

#25 Kentucky (3-0) vs WASHINGTON STATE (1-2)
1 p.m. | Sunday | Nov. 19, 2017
Pullman, Wash. | Beasley Coliseum (11,671)

ABOUT THE MATCHUP
The Cougs open their home season against #25 Kentucky in a rematch of a thriller from last season. On the road, a last ditch effort and a pair of career efforts proved not to be enough for the Cougars who dropped a tough 69-67 decision to the Wildcats. WSU had a chance to win late after battling back from a 26-8 deficit after just one quarter of play. In the game, Alexys Swedlund dropped in her first career 20-point effort while Chanelle Molina added 17. All-time, Kentucky holds a 2-0 advantage over the Cougs winning in 2006 and against last season. However, both previous matchups have taken place in Lexington. Sunday's game marks the first matchup in Pullman between the two sides.

LAST TIME OUT
Down eight midway through the second half, the Cougs (1-2) showed off their high-powered offense with a 14-2 run in the fourth quarter to escape the Hilltop at San Francisco (1-1) with a 74-70 win Wednesday night. Finding the gear that had alluded them for much of the game, the Cougs scored 10 unanswered points in just under two minutes to turn a deficit into a 68-61 advantage just under six minutes to play. Six different Cougs put the ball in the basket during the game-clinching run, capping off the barrage of buckets with a pair of three-pointers from Alexys Swedlund and Louise Brown. From there, WSU would hold on as the Dons made a late run as they had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds but could not convert from the line. Overall, the contest was truly a game of runs as WSU jumped out front by seven early only to see USF respond to pull within one by halftime. The Dons would use an 8-0 run out of the locker room to take control of the game only to see the Cougs, led by Borislava Hristova chase the down the lead in the fourth. Hristova came up with a game-high 20 points to lead the way while Kayla Washington chipped in a career-best 13 and Chanelle Molina added 11.

ABOUT THE WILDCATS
The Wildcats enter the weekend's matchup 3-0 on the year having defeated Montana, 71-54, Thursday night. UK has four players averaging double-figures early in the year led by Taylor Murry at 16.0 ppg. Murpry also has grabbed 7.0 rebounds per game. She was voted a preseason All-SEC after her impressive sophomore season where she started all 30 games she played and averaged 12.2 points per game while leading the Wildcats with 3.9 assists per game. As a team, the Wildcats average 81.3 points per game while having held their opponents to just 57.7 points per game.

WHAT'S BEING SAID

Congrats to @WSUMensHoops & @WSUWomensHoops on both getting a W tonight! #GoCougs
— Kirk H Schulz (@WSU_Cougar_Pres) November 16, 2017

Way to go ladies! Keep building on this momentum #GoCougs https://t.co/V30cBeiG2S
— Noel Schulz (@WSU_Noel_Schulz) November 16, 2017

One down, plenty more wins to come! https://t.co/u8SAtUqLMx
— Matthew Zimmer (@ZimCaster) November 16, 2017

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