Date: Fri, Jan 19, 2018 at 9:50 AM
Subject: Second Half of the Boeing Apple Cup Series Heads to Seattle Sunday
Second Half of the Boeing Apple Cup Series Heads to Seattle Sunday
1/19/2018 | Women's Basketball
WASHINGTON ST. (9-10, 2-5) at WASHINGTON (6-12, 0-7)
1 p.m. | Sunday | Jan. 21, 2018
Seattle, Wash. | Beasley Coliseum (11,671)
MATCHUP NOTES
After a hard-fought win Wednesday in the first half of the Apple Cup series, the Cougs and the Huskies head to Seattle for the rematch Sunday. WSU looks for its first season sweep since 2014 (the only sweep since joining the Pac-12). The win for WSU snapped a five-game skid against the Huskies and moved their record to 21-72 all-time in the series. The rivalry between the two extends back to 1971 when the Cougs won the first-ever matchup 43-32. All-time, Washington has controlled the series with a 72-20 record including winning the last five meetings. Last season, UW won in Seattle 94-63 on Dec. 27. The last Coug win came on Feb. 20, 2015 in Seattle when WSU won 83-72. It was the third-straight win for the Cougs before the five-game UW win streak started.
LAST TIME OUT
In an emotional night on the Palouse, Washington State (9-10, 2-5 Pac-12) found a way to win, defeating Washington (6-12, 0-7 Pac-12), 78-75, in overtime in the first half of the Boeing Apple Cup Wednesday night. Down two with :20 seconds to play in regulation, the Cougs got the look they needed when Chanelle Molina drilled a three from the top of the arc, off an offensive rebound from Nike McClure who secured a career-best 16 boards in the game, to put the Cougs ahead 68-67. Needing a stop, the Cougs saw their hopes for a win nearly dashed when a controversial call went against WSU with just 3.5 seconds to go. The foul sent the Huskies' leading scorer to the line where Amber Melgoza would shoot two for the win. With Beasley rocking, Melgoza made just one of her attempts to give the Cougs clemency and send the game into overtime. Granted new life, the Cougs put the Huskies in a huge hole right off the opening tip as Borislava Hristova, quiet in the fourth, exploded for seven of her 25 points to start the extra-period to put the Cougs up 75-69 with just over two minutes to play. From there, WSU would hold on despite a rough night at the free-throw line, clamping down on the Huskies when it mattered most while McClure dropped in the game-sealing bucket with :05 to play to finish off the home victory.
ABOUT THE HUSKIES
Rebuilding under first year head coach Jody Wynn, the Huskies enter the week 6-12 overall and 0-7 in Pac-12 play. The game Wednesday in Pullman showed how dangerous the Huskies are despite their record as UW was one free throw away from upsetting the Cougs in Beasley. Overall, UW is led by Amber Melgoza who sports a 17.2 points per game average on the year and a 20.1 ppg average in Pac-12 games after scoring 22 points on Wednesday night. The Huskies have done most of their damage from deep hitting 8.0 three-pointers per game in Pac-12 play, a number they hit on the nose against the Cougs Wednesday.
IN THE TWITTERVERSE
Lead changes in the final minute, a FT sends it to OT. Bobi Buckets took over for @WSUWomensHoops but @UW_WBB wouldn't quit.
5 things on Wednesday's OT thriller: https://t.co/lna9TzUERT #Pac12WBB pic.twitter.com/kHi4yJ5xUQ
- The Summitt (@SummittHoops) January 19, 2018
.@HEROSportsNews has compiled a list of the five best sophomores in the country and a poll to see what you all think and guess what, Borislava Hristova is one of the five. Get out the vote for Bobi Buckets #GoCougs
Vote Here >> https://t.co/uKr76zrtSe pic.twitter.com/3lIGyTdaAv
- WSU Women's Hoops (@WSUWomensHoops) January 19, 2018
This is the @NikeMcClure I envisioned...the one that MUST be feared in the PAC 12! @WSUWomensHoops https://t.co/fFYYRyelGw
- eric (@eric_fecund3) January 18, 2018
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