Cougs Battle but Fall to No. 13/12 UCLA in Beasley

Sunday, January 28

Pullman, WA

3:00 PM

Washington State University

9-13, 2-8

UCLA

17-4, 8-2

UCLA

Washington State

Photo by: Dean Hare/WSU Photo Services

January 28, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Hristova/Molina Postgame Coach Daugherty Postgame

WSU fought until the end but the Bruins came out on top, 79-71.

By: Athletic Communications

In Case You Missed It
PULLMAN, Wash. – Battling another top-15 team, the Cougars (9-13, 2-8 Pac-12) fought until the bitter end, but ultimately fell to No. 13/12 UCLA (17-4, 8-2 Pac-12), 79-71, Sunday afternoon in Beasley Coliseum. Early on, the Cougs looked like primed to pull off another upset of the Bruins on the Palouse as WSU came out on fire, hitting 60.0% of their shots in the opening 10 minutes and closing the first quarter with a 14-2 run that pushed the lead Cougars' lead to 20-13. Leading by as much as 10 early in the second quarter, the Cougs' offense would stall as a handful of turnovers allowed the Bruins to run their way back into the contest ultimately taking a four point lead in the halftime break thanks to a six-minute, 16-4 run. After tying the game in the first minute of the second half, the Cougs would see UCLA create some separation once again behind an 8-0 run that knocked the Cougs on their heels. WSU would claw back into the game, trailing by just two possessions with 2:23 to play, but the six-point Bruin lead would hold as UCLA knocked down nine of 12 free-throws in the final 1:20 to secure the victory.

Stat of the Game
UCLA held a 51-29 advantage on the boards including grabbing 21 offensive rebounds which turned into 19 second-chance points.

Moments of the Game

Hristova with the reverse and one layup to dig into the UCLA lead. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Kv2CjVihaH
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) January 29, 2018

Kayla Washington swats a UCLA shot into the stands #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/rj226AGcbz
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) January 29, 2018

Pavlopoulou hustles to get her own miss and fires a no look pass to Washington for a layup #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/wf3ygJgSGa
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) January 28, 2018

Chanelle Molina gets things started with the first bucket of the game. Watch live @Pac12Network. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/OtpB1Eipc1
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) January 28, 2018

Things You Need To Know

Borislava Hristova finished with a game-high 25 points for her ninth 20+ point effort of the season. She ended the day with 998 career points, two shy of becoming the 18th member of the 1,000-point club at WSU.
Chanelle Molina scored 11 points while dishing out five assists. Pinelopi Pavlopoulou scored 10 points with a 3-of-5 showing for deep, tying her career-high for three-pointers for the second-straight game.
Overall, the Cougs assisted on 21 of 29 baskets, a season-high for WSU.
WSU outshot the Bruins 42.6%-to-42.4% from the floor, the second-straight contest the Cougs outshot their opponents but came up short in the win column.
Four UCLA players scored in double-figures led by Jordin Canada's 19 points. Monique Billing added 15 points to go with 15 rebounds while Kennedy Bruke scored 16 and Lajahna Drummer added 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Nike McClure blocked two shots in the game to move into sole possession of second place on WSU's all-time block list with 148. She passed Holly Zapel (Bertus) and sits 10 back of the all-time record of 158 held by Carly Noyes.
WSU hits the road to Arizona for their lone matchups with Arizona and Arizona State next weekend. The Cougs begin their roadtrip in Tucson to take on the Wildcats at 5 p.m. PT.