Washington State Women’s basketball fell to Santa Clara while on the road losing 102-71 last night at Leavey Center.
Starting off the game the Cougs lost the tip-off but quickly recovered with their ball movement on offense. They kept up with the Broncos by chasing each other on the score board. Eleonora Villa scored the first points for the Cougs and took to the paint. Villa was the top scorer for the game with a total of 18 points a steal and five assists.
The Cougs played strong switching between offense and defense. Notably on offense where the Cougs were not afraid to get to the paint. The Cougs all brought great ball handling and communication on the court, finding who was open and driving to the hoop.
Into the second quarter the Cougars took the free-throw line, earning the Cougs some points on the board. Mackenzie Chatfield also took the line scoring two free throws and scoring a total of 11 points and four rebounds. Alex Covill had a total of 10 points and five rebounds off the boards.
The Cougs fall short by 17 points when going into halftime ending the first half 52-35.
Head coach Kamie Ethridge in the post game press conference shared her overall thoughts on the match. Ethridge said that it was a bad match up and that they could not guard their three and off the bounce. Ethridge said that even when they tried to play zone they (Santa Clara) made three’s in their face.
Going into the second half of the game the Cougs brought back the energy back on both offense and defense. According to the WSU athletic page, Charlotte Abraham with a steal and great ball movement found Chatfield open. Abraham played both strongly on offensive and defense with multiple turnovers. Abraham with 4 points, five rebounds and four assists total.
Villa also provided the Cougars with great movement on offense and great ball handling finding those open on the court and getting them the ball. Tanja Valancic banked a 3-pointer with a total of five points and five rebounds. Keandra Koorits took to the paint and driving towards the paint with a total of 8 points and two rebounds.
“Its a hard game if you can’t, you know, play to the strengths of your team,” Ethridge said.
Going into the fourth quarter the Cougs kept pushing to catch up in points. While the Broncos continued putting up threes and layups expanding the point gap. The Cougs picked up trying to gain offensive rebounds scoring 14 offensive rebounds in the fourth. Malia Ruud was strong in the paint putting up points for the Cougs. Ruud ended the game with a total of five rebounds and 8 points.
Marta Alsina checked in for the Cougs bringing the energy on both offense shooting a 3-pointer and ending the game with a total of five points. The Cougs came up short against Ranked No. 2 Broncos, the final match score 102 to 71.
The Cougs will return home to Beasly after being on the road for the last two games. They will take on Gonzaga University, regional rivals, on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at Beasley.
