Hristova's 27 Not Enough in Season Opener

Tuesday, November 6

Pullman, WA

7:00 PM

Washington State University

Utah State

Washington State

November 06, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Player Postgame HC Ethridge Postgame

The Cougars led late but Utah State came away with the win.

By: Athletic Communications

In Case You Missed It
PULLMAN, Wash. – A late run proved to be too much for Washington State women's basketball (0-1) to overcome Tuesday night at Beasley Coliseum as Utah State (1-0) came away with the 72-61 win over the Cougars. Leading by four heading into the final quarter, the Cougars could not hold on to their advantage as the Aggies closed the final five minutes of action on a 17-7 run to pull away for the win. Prior to the late miscues, the Cougars looked to be in control of a closely fought battle thanks to the a scoring barrage from redshirt-junior Borislava Hristova who came away with 27 points on the night. It was Hristova's early antics, 14 of the first 21 points for the Cougars, that pulled WSU out of an early nine point whole in the first quarter. She would be slowed midway through the second quarter, leaving the game for the remainder of the half with a lower leg injury. With Hristova out, freshman Ula Motuga, freshly back from India, tallied 10 of her 15 points in the second quarter to keep WSU out front. Hristova would return after halftime but could not keep the Cougars ahead as the Aggies caught WSU on its heels late, scoring 10 points in the paint in the final minutes of the game before putting the contest away at the free-throw line.

Quote of the Night
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge - "Congratulations to Utah State, I thought from the opening tip they were the more aggressive team, the more physical team, the more disciplined team...The game got easier for them and it never got easier for us. I think that's a real disappointment for our team. I'm disappointed in how I had my team prepared. I also know that, I know our system will work if we just stick with it and show a little more discipline. As we go through the season we're going to be a lot better as we step on the floor even tomorrow than we were tonight and we will be a lot better in a couple of months."

Moments of the Game

Too fast, too strong, too good. Bobi Buckets with 14 of the Cougs 21 points#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/q0byvuJ7Az
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) November 7, 2018

You cant stop Bobi Buckets, you really can't contain her either #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/odRgRJPKF1
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) November 7, 2018

Now that's just unfair, the scoop from 15 and the foul#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/oJW7m2jMxf
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) November 7, 2018

Things You Need To Know

The Cougs dropped their season-opener for the second-straight season. Utah State improved to 3-0 against the Cougars all-time, but 1-0 in the NCAA era.
Borislava Hristova led all scorers with 27 points, her 22nd career 20+ point performance.
Ula Motuga made her collegiate debut and produced 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting with six rebounds. Motuga returned to the States Sunday from India after winning the bronze medal at the FIBA U-18 Asian Championships with Team Australia.
Foul trouble cost the Cougars throughout the night with 18 total fouls, seven of which were whistled on the offensive end.
Utah State had four in double-figures led by Hailey Bassett-Meacham with 23 point while Olivia West added 16, Shannon Dufficy posted 12 and Marlene Aniambossou tallied 10.
Utah State turned 20 turnovers into 23 points.
WSU continues its homestand with Saint Mary's Sunday, November 11 at 1 p.m. The game is part of a double-header with the men's team which will be playing its season opener.