PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State women's basketball team got a pair of superb performances from seniors Borislava Hristova and Chanelle Molina en route to a 71-63 exhibition victory over Beijing Normal University in Beasley Coliseum on Tuesday night.
The duo combined for 46 points and 20 rebounds in the exhibition. Molina, who is coming off an All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection, posted a double-double with 18 points and 13 boards, while adding a game-high seven assists. Meanwhile, Hristova, a three-time All-Pac-12 honoree, got her 2019-20 campaign started with a game-best 28-point performance by going 12-of-19 from the floor and pulling down seven caroms.
Washington State found itself in a battle with a Beijing Normal throughout the contest, as a slow start by the Cougs offensively allowed the team from China to lead by as many as seven points in the contest. WSU was able to find its stroke in the final two quarters – shooting a combined 50% in the frames – to erase the deficit.
An 11-0 run midway through the fourth gave Washington State a nine-point advantage with 1:39 left to play. The go-ahead run started on an old-fashioned three-point play by Molina that gave the Cougars a one-point advantage. Two possessions later, sophomore Shir Levy picked off a pass near mid-court and took it to distance for a fast break layup, putting WSU up by five, and they never looked back.
Defense was key for the Cougs in deciding fourth frame, as they held Beijing Normal scoreless for over a three-minute stretch to score the come from behind victory. Washington State limited their opponent to 5-of-15 from the floor in the final quarter of play.
Coug Quotes
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge on Tonight's Victory: "I'm really thrilled with how we finished the game and how we competed. We withstood adversity tonight by not playing great basketball. We are still a young team and we have players that can get nervous at times. It took us a while to get into a rhythm and to figure out how to matchup with (Beijing Normal) and how they were moving. I'm really pleased with how we competed in the second half and asserted ourselves in the fourth to make sure we were going to pull away and win this game."
Coach Ethridge on the Fourth Quarter Comeback: "We ended up playing small with four guards and a smaller post. We thought agility would be a good way to counter them. It was an unusual matchup for us, because I don't think we can get away with playing small in the Pac-12. It was a good experience, and we know we have some versatility and have players that can cause some problems from different positions."
Coug Notes
- Sophomore Ula Motuga opened her 2019-20 season with a solid performance, as she pulled down eight rebounds and collected six points on the night.
- After logging 2,196 minutes in 2018-19, Washington State's iron women of Borislava Hristova and Chanelle Molina were displaying their stamina again on Tuesday, as both played over 35 minutes in the victory.
- Washington State held a 47-29 advantage on the boards, which led to a 22-9 edge over Beijing Normal in second-chance points.
- The Cougs were clutch from the line in the exhibition, going a perfect 10-of-10 from the charity stripe.
WSU opens the 2019-20 regular season next Tuesday – November 5 – against Pepperdine. Tip-off against the Waves is set for 7 p.m. in Beasley Coliseum. Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at WSUCougars.com.
