Hot Shooting and Timely Defense Leads The Cougs to a Comeback Win Over Rutgers

Sunday, November 26

Estero, Fla.

10:30 AM

Washington State University

3-4

Rutgers University

5-2

Washington State

Rutgers

Hot Shooting and Timely Defense Leads The Cougs to a Comeback Win Over Rutgers

November 26, 2017 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

WSU erased a 10-point halftime deficit to down the Scarlet Knights 63-60.

By: Athletic Communications

In Case You Missed It
ESTERO, Fla. – Down by as much as 14 late in the first half, Washington State (3-4) mounted a comeback that finished with a final gutty defensive stand to secure a 63-60 win over Rutgers (5-2) in its final game of the Gulf Coast Showcase Sunday afternoon. Using two huge runs to do their damage, the Cougs got back into the game thanks to a seven-point spurt including a four-point play by Alexys Swedlund to end the first half. The finishing fireworks kicked off an 18-6 run crossing over the two halves that cut Rutgers' lead to just two points four minutes into the third quarter. After falling behind by seven, the Cougs turned the game in their favor on a 12-2 run to end the third as WSU hit three-consecutive triples including back-to-back efforts from Pinelopi Pavlopoulou to take the lead into the fourth. The final 10-minutes would be a defensive stalemate, finished off by the Cougs in the final minute as WSU held tough for the final :28 seconds before Caila Hailey drew a game-clinching charge with :06 seconds to play.

Stat of the Game
The Cougs allowed just 20 points in the second half while dominating the glass 25-to-16. Minus-11 in rebounding in the first half, the Cougs would turn the game around on the glass and on the scoreboard.

Moments of the Game

Caila Hailey everybody!!! Takes the charge and the Cougs take the ball with :07 to play #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/HsCvP9Z5d5
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) November 26, 2017

Big time O-board from Nike and then a finish from Caila and the Cougs are back in the lead #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/ao0CKFS8gW
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) November 26, 2017

Pi from the corner and the Cougs have retaken the lead!! GoCougs pic.twitter.com/n0dyRWeKJ4
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) November 26, 2017

If they aren't going to pick you up, may as well shoot it right? pic.twitter.com/GcMYYrhBTI
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) November 26, 2017

Bobi gets the open look and drills it from deep. Cougs need a bunch more of that #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/LLTDa3RGnA
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) November 26, 2017

Things You Need To Know

The Cougs 14-point comeback tied for the fourth-largest comeback in WSU history. WSU mounted two 14-point comebacks in the 2016-17 season.
The win over Rutgers marked the first matchup between the two teams.
Borislava Hristova led the Cougs in scoring for the fifth time in seven contests scoring 17 points.
The Cougs put four in double-figures for the third-time on the year and second-time in as many games: Hristova (17), Alexys Swedlund (14), Louise Brown (13), and Pinelopi Pavlopoulou (11).
Pavlopoulou tied her career-best with six assists.
WSU shot a season-best 43.1% (22-of-51) in the game while making 10-of-19 from deep.
Rutgers finished with three in double-figures led by Tyler Scaife (12) while Stasha Carey added 10 and Caitlin Jenkins grabbed the double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
WSU returns home for a three-game homestand beginning Dec. 1 with Idaho State. The contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Beasley Coliseum.