PULLMAN, Wash. – A shorthanded Washington State women's basketball team battled No. 11-ranked Utah Friday, Dec. 30, as the Cougars erased a 20-point deficit in the game but ultimately ran out of steam, falling to the Utes, 71-66, in Beasley Coliseum.

The Cougars found themselves trailing the Utes by 20 points at 38-18 with a minute left before halftime. Washington State recovered right before the half, scoring the quarter's final two points to make it a 16-point deficit at the break at 38-22.

WSU opened the third stanza on an 8-2 spurt to make it a 10-point game at 40-30 after a layup from senior Bella Murekatete with 7:40 left in the quarter. Washington State cut its deficit to single digits with 1:15 left in the third, as freshman Astera Tuhina hit a contested jump shot in the lane to make it 53-44. Utah would close the third with a pair of free throws, pushing its lead back out to 57-46 heading into the game's final frame.

Utah scored the opening bucket of the fourth, but Washington State responded with a 15-2 run to pull even at 62-all after fifth-year senior Ula Motuga hit a pair of free throws with 2:22 left to play. The teams traded free throws from that point, with the score knotted at 66-66 with 51 seconds remaining in the game. The No. 11-ranked Utes took a three-point lead at 69-66 after going 3-of-4 at the free throw line on a pair of possessions. Washington State had a great look at tying the game with three seconds left, but the Cougars' 3-point attempt to tie just rimmed out and Utah was able to get the rebound. The Utes sealed the deal with a pair of free throws, as they handed the Cougars a 71-66 defeat.

Washington State shot 53.3 percent in the second half en route to shooting 43.9 percent for the game. WSU forced Utah into 24 turnovers in the game, which led to a 16-1 edge for the Cougars in points off turnovers.

With the loss, Washington State falls to 0-2 in Pac-12 Conference play and 10-3 overall, as Utah snaps WSU three-game winning streak.

Murekatete paced a trio of double-digit scorers for the Cougars, as she scored a game-high 20 points and pulled down a game-best 11 rebounds to post her fifth double-double of the season. Tuhina, who was making her first career start, scored 12 points and added eight rebounds to her ledger. Motuga rounded out the group with an 11-point effort against the Utes.

Washington State played Friday's game against No. 11 Utah without its leading scorer, Charlisse Leger-Walker, who went back to her home country of New Zealand to deal with a family issue. Her status is day-to-day.

Head Coach Kamie Ethridge on the Result
"Finishing the way that we did feels really good for our team. I feel really good about the response that we had. I believe there are so many lessons that we can learn in a game like this. I think the response from this team continues to be exactly what we want. I love that we fought through adversity and scratched back into this game. We put ourselves in a position to maybe win the game and that is pretty surprising when you're down 20 points in the first half. There is a lot to pick apart, but you've got to be pleased with how we competed."

Coug Notes
- Washington State's eight-game home winning streak comes to an end with a loss to No. 11-ranked Utah.
- The Cougars fall to 9-22 all-time against the Utes and 3-11 against Utah in Pullman.
- Senior Bella Murekatete recorded her third 20-plus point performance of the season, while it is the fourth overall during her WSU career.
- Murekatete's double-double is her fifth of the season, while is her 10th career double-double at Washington State.
- Murekatete's 11-rebound effort against the Utes marks the sixth time this season she has pulled down double-digit caroms, while it is her 14th career game with 10-or-more boards.
- Ula Motuga records double-digit points for the fifth time this season and for the 33rd time in her WSU career.
- Astera Tuhina posts double-figure points for the third time as a Cougar.

Next Up
Washington State jumps back into action this Sunday, Jan. 1, as the Cougars ring in the New Year with Colorado. Tip-off for this Pac-12 Conference matchup is set for 4 p.m. PT and will air on the Pac-12 Networks.

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