Hristova, Subasic important in BYU victory

Team has over a week to prepare for next game against Boise State

Freshman+center+Bella+Murekatete+goes+up+for+a+layup+Saturday+afternoon+at+Beasley+Coliseum.

HSING-HAN CHEN

Freshman center Bella Murekatete goes up for a layup Saturday afternoon at Beasley Coliseum.

SHAYNE TAYLOR, Evergreen reporter

WSU women’s basketball held Brigham Young University to 1-13 shooting in the final quarter of play and moves to 2-0 on the new season after a 67-50 win.

Redshirt senior forward Borislava Hristova led the team in scoring with 23 points in her second straight game and her eight rebounds were tied for second on the team.

With a double-double consisting of 15 points and 11 rebounds, redshirt junior forward Jovana Subasic earned herself player of the game and had the most minutes amongst players coming off the bench. She said the positivity in the stadium helps her feel comfortable.

Head coach Kamie Ethridge said Subasic playing the way she did is something Cougar fans can get used to.

“That was a big thing for us to be able to bring her in, not just to stretch the defense but also she just has a little bit better ballhandling skills,” Ethridge said. “It is great to have some consistency and you know what you are going to get when you bring [Subasic] off the bench.”

Senior guard Chanelle Molina said that although the win was not pretty, a win feels great but there is still plenty to clean up offensively before they face off with Boise State.

“Keep that intensity in practice and hold each other accountable,” Molina said. “Do not get too comfortable with the two wins.”

Defensively, Molina was very pleased with the way the team played despite the size advantage they knew BYU had over them.

“Our game plan was to ice them and keep them on one side, and we did a really good job at that and plus the rebounding was amazing,” Molina said.

Ethridge said that praising the rebound play on the team is not something she is used to after frustrations in the past, but she is hoping it becomes the team’s DNA as they become more aggressive.

Also, Subasic said the rebounding was the key reason the Cougars were able to get the win and staying consistent in practice will be beneficial moving forward.

“We have to work on the rebounds and keep growing in that way because that is what gave us the win today,” Subasic said.

WSU will have over a week until the next game. Despite the tough schedule ahead, Ethridge said the way her team has handled themselves in big moments has improved vastly from a year ago.

“One thing I have really loved about this team in the short season so far is we have responded pretty well to some adversity,” Ethridge said.

WSU will travel for their next game to square off against the Boise State University Broncos at 4 p.m. on Nov. 20 in Boise, Idaho.