In Case You Missed It
PULLMAN, Wash. – A cold shooting night on the Palouse was too much for the home Cougars (5-5) to overcome as Washington State fell Wednesday night at Beasley Coliseum to Gonzaga (5-3), 64-56. An even game throughout three-quarters, the Cougs' offense went missing late in the fourth as the Zags used a 10-5 run to turn a three-point game into an eight-point advantage in the final four minutes of the game. Throughout the final minutes of the contest, WSU had its chances to push its way back into the game only to see its shot attempts come up empty and the final minutes tick away. In all, the Cougs would shoot just 4-of-20 in the final 10 minutes of action and finish the game 21-of-75 while the Zags shot 45.7% (21-of-46) from the floor and 6-of-9 from deep. In addition to the missed opportunities on the offensive end, the game was bogged down by foul trouble for both sides as the Cougs and Zags were called for 48 combined fouls. The Cougs' leading scorer,
Borislava Hristova, played the entire game in foul trouble after picking up two fouls in the first 1:35 of the game. Despite the trouble, the Pac-12's No. 2 scorer would lead the Cougs with 13 points, seven coming in the third quarter, to go with a season-high eight rebounds. While the Cougs battled their own issues, the Zags played nearly the entire second half without their star, Jill Barta, who exited the game due to injury after posting 15 points in 13 minutes of action. In her stead, Zykera Rice took control of the reins and paint to finish with 19 points, 13 of which came in the second half of play after Barta's injury.
Stat of the Game
Washington State dominated the offensive glass with 28 rebounds, but were able to turn them into only 11 second-chance points.
Moments of the Game
Things You Need To Know
- The loss for the Cougs was just their ninth all-time to Gonzaga, but second-straight. The Cougs record moved to 20-9 all-time against the Zags who won for just the third time in 13 tries at Beasley Coliseum.
- Borislava Hristova led the Cougs in scoring for the eighth time in 10 games while scoring in double-figures for the ninth time.
- The Cougs forced a season-high 26 turnovers, with Caila Hailey grabbing a season-best five steals while also forcing three more turnovers on offensive charges. Hailey finished the game with nine points to go with five rebounds and four assists.
- Nike McClure and Maria Kostourkova each finished with nine points, seven rebounds, and one block in just over 20 minutes of action.
- WSU takes a break for finals before hitting the road for the final two games of non-conference play beginning with its contest at Boise State on December 18. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.
