PULLMAN, Wash. (February 2, 2024) – Washington State women's basketball battled with No. 6 Colorado in a back-and-forth effort Friday night, but fell late, 63-57.
The Cougars (15-7, 4-5 Pac-12) led for over 16 minutes in a game that saw 10 lead changes and 13 ties, while having three finish in double-digit scoring.
Tara Wallack led WSU with 19 points, going 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, to go with five rebounds.
Bella Murekatete tallied a team-high 10 boards, while adding eight points, three assists, two steals and a block.
Astera Tuhina put up 15 points in her first game back since Dec. 20 at Auburn. She also added four steals and a block.
Eleonora Villa also scored 15 along with two rebounds and two assists.
Beyonce Bea totaled six boards, two assists, a block and a steal, and Alex Covill finished with three rebounds and three blocks.
Five quick points from Wallack gave WSU an early 5-4 lead in a back-and-forth game. Murekatete buckets evened the score at 9-all later in the first before a Tuhina steal and score put WSU back ahead 11-9. That turned it into six-straight points, but Colorado wouldn't go quietly as the game went into the second locked at 15-15.
E. Villa tied the game once again at 19-19 as back-and-forth play continued into the second quarter, and then again at 21-all midway through the second. Tuhina gave the Cougs a 23-21 lead after that, before an E. Villa floater and Wallack three in final seconds put WSU on top 28-25 going into halftime.
Tuhina and Murekatete upped the Cougar lead to five out of the break, and E. Villa splashed a three midway through the third to give WSU it's largest lead of the game, 36-30. Colorado didn't ease up, though, eventually using a quick 6-0 spurt to take a 39-38 lead with two minutes left in the third before entering the fourth with a 45-42 lead.
In the final period, Colorado extended to a 48-44 lead, but the Cougs kept fighting. A Wallack layup made it 48-46 before sticky defense forced a Colorado shot clock violation and Wallack tied the game up at 48-all with under seven to play.
Tuhina hit a jumper to put the Cougs ahead one more time, 50-48 with 5:53 remaining, but Colorado responded with a three to retake the lead, 51-50. Although WSU hit some shots late, Colorado made their free throws down the stretch to win by the score of 63-57.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Bella Murekatete
Beyonce Bea
UP NEXT
The Cougars continue at home for a matchup with No. 20/20 Utah on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 12 p.m.
FOLLOW US
For more information on the Washington State women's basketball team, follow @WSUCougarWBB on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
The Cougars (15-7, 4-5 Pac-12) led for over 16 minutes in a game that saw 10 lead changes and 13 ties, while having three finish in double-digit scoring.
Tara Wallack led WSU with 19 points, going 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, to go with five rebounds.
Bella Murekatete tallied a team-high 10 boards, while adding eight points, three assists, two steals and a block.
Astera Tuhina put up 15 points in her first game back since Dec. 20 at Auburn. She also added four steals and a block.
Eleonora Villa also scored 15 along with two rebounds and two assists.
Beyonce Bea totaled six boards, two assists, a block and a steal, and Alex Covill finished with three rebounds and three blocks.
Five quick points from Wallack gave WSU an early 5-4 lead in a back-and-forth game. Murekatete buckets evened the score at 9-all later in the first before a Tuhina steal and score put WSU back ahead 11-9. That turned it into six-straight points, but Colorado wouldn't go quietly as the game went into the second locked at 15-15.
E. Villa tied the game once again at 19-19 as back-and-forth play continued into the second quarter, and then again at 21-all midway through the second. Tuhina gave the Cougs a 23-21 lead after that, before an E. Villa floater and Wallack three in final seconds put WSU on top 28-25 going into halftime.
Tuhina and Murekatete upped the Cougar lead to five out of the break, and E. Villa splashed a three midway through the third to give WSU it's largest lead of the game, 36-30. Colorado didn't ease up, though, eventually using a quick 6-0 spurt to take a 39-38 lead with two minutes left in the third before entering the fourth with a 45-42 lead.
In the final period, Colorado extended to a 48-44 lead, but the Cougs kept fighting. A Wallack layup made it 48-46 before sticky defense forced a Colorado shot clock violation and Wallack tied the game up at 48-all with under seven to play.
Tuhina hit a jumper to put the Cougs ahead one more time, 50-48 with 5:53 remaining, but Colorado responded with a three to retake the lead, 51-50. Although WSU hit some shots late, Colorado made their free throws down the stretch to win by the score of 63-57.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Bella Murekatete
- Grabbed 10 rebounds to push career rebound total to 899, tied atop the WSU record book with Kate Benz (2003-07)
- Eight points tonight puts her at 1,426 career points, 10th most in program history
- One block extended her program lead in career blocks to 174
- Played in game number 139, and started her 131st game, extending her program lead in both categories
Beyonce Bea
- Grabbed six rebounds to extend career rebounds total to 988
- Appeared in her 133rd career game
UP NEXT
The Cougars continue at home for a matchup with No. 20/20 Utah on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 12 p.m.
FOLLOW US
For more information on the Washington State women's basketball team, follow @WSUCougarWBB on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.