Career Efforts Lead To A Run-Away Win Over Boise State

Saturday, December 1

Pullman, WA

1:00 PM

Washington State University

4-4

Boise State

5-2

Boise St.

Washington St.

December 01, 2018 | Women's Basketball

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

Washington State blitzed the Broncos early and never looked back in a 95-71 win.

By: Athletic Communications

In Case You Missed It ...
PULLMAN, Wash. - In one of its most complete offensive efforts in program history, Washington State women's basketball (4-4) ran away with a 95-71 win over Boise State (5-2) Saturday afternoon at Beasley Coliseum. From the opening tip the Cougars broke the Broncos, scoring the first nine points of the contest and 17 of the first 20 to open up a double-digit advantage. Burying BSU with an avalanche of three-pointers, the Cougars hit five of their first six from deep in the first quarter while shooting a scorching 75% from the floor to start the game. After the Broncs made a small run to start the second quarter cutting the WSU lead to nine, the Cougars responded with the knockout blow, rolling off a 20-0 run that put BSU away for good. The run was sparked by Borislava Hristova who's defense turned into easy offense as the star scored eight of her game-high 30 points during the five-minute stretch. Just behind Hristova, senior Alexys Swedlund dropped in five of her career-best 24 during the run while also helping to stymie any offensive threat by the Broncos with a pair of blocks as WSU completely shut things down on the defensive end of the floor. In all, the Cougars shot 62.9% from the floor in the first half while draining 11-of-17 from deep to close out the half. With a healthy lead at the break, the Cougars let off the gas in the second half while still maintaining a nearly three touchdown advantage over the Broncos throughout the second half.

Coach Ethridge Quote of the Game
"Well obviously I could not be happier for our team. It is exactly the kind of effort that we have been just begging them to give and to show and what they haven't been doing and why everything has been such a struggle. We really talked about how if we could clean up our effort and give better effort across the board, every one of us, a lot of mistakes would be covered up. We came out and they just played unbelievably hard maybe for a full game for the first time this year."

Moments of the Game

Cougs turn defense into 3 points thanks to Molina and Swedlund | 7-0 WSU up early #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/o1vGb56M02
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) December 1, 2018

"Thank you Boise State" - Bobi Buckets, probably #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/TQPBnepzEq
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) December 1, 2018

Chanelle Molina doesn't even need to look to find Swedlund for her 3rd trey of the half! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/denbNrBllx
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) December 1, 2018

Great ball movement finds Shir Levy for her 3rd triple and her first career double-digit game with 11 first half points #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/AydvCrTGxJ
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) December 1, 2018

Cougars dominating on defense as Motuga rejects this Boise State layup attempt #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/DUE8rIdujF
— WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) December 1, 2018

Things You Need To Know

WSU improved to .500 on the year for the first time after winning its third-consecutive games. The Cougars have now won the last two matchups with the Broncos and are in the lead 20-19 in the all-time series.
The Cougars' 95 points tied for the 10th most in a single game in the NCAA era. It was their most points scored since scoring 107 against Oregon in the Pac-12 Tournament March 6, 2014. The 95 points followed a 91 point effort against USF Thursday marking the first time in program history the Cougars scored at least 90 points in back-to-back games and the first time since the 1995 season the Cougars have recorded back-to-back 20+ point victories.
The Cougars' hit 13 three-pointers, including 11 in the first half, tied for the fourth-most in program history.
WSU's 26 assists wer also the fourth-most in a single game and were the most since posting 24 against Portland State Dec. 3, 2004. Chanelle Molina led the way with a career-best 11 assists to go along with nine points and six rebounds. Her 11 assists were the first double-digit assist effort for a Coug since Jessica Perry vs. Gonzaga, Nov. 29, 2001
Borislava Hristova posted her eighth-straight double-digit scoring effort while eclipsing the 20-point mark for the fifth time and the 30-point mark for the second time on the year. It was her fourth 30-point effort of her career. She finished her day 11-of-20 from the field while tying a career high with four three-pointers.
Alexys Swedlund's 24 points set a career high for the senior while marking her second 20-point effort of the season. She added three steals and a career-best two blocks to go with three rebounds.
Freshman Shir Levy hit double-figures for the first time in her career with 13 points including hitting 3-of-4 from deep. Redshirt-freshman Celena Molina notched her first career point, a free throw with :38 seconds to play that pushed the Cougars to 95 points.
WSU shot a season-best 55.4% (36-of-65) from the floor and 56.5% (13-of-23) from deep.
Boise State put three in double-figures led by Jade Loville with 18 points. Riley Lupfer and Jayde Christopher added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Cougars hit the road