The WSU Women’s basketball team lost a nail biter today to the Syracuse Orange with a final score of 69-65.

This game had 18 different lead changes and came down to the wire. The Cougs had one last chance when Syracuse’s Brittney Sykes attempted a full court pass to their center, Shakeya Leary and overthrew her, turning the ball over to WSU with 13 seconds left.

Only down 64-62, WSU’s Lia Galdeira received the inbound pass for what seemed to be their last possession to either tie or win the game. Galdeira drove down the lane, but could not finish the lay-up. With intentional fouls and a late three from Galdeira, the Cougs fell to the Orange for the second year in a row.

On the Syracuse side, center Leary dominated the paint, going 8-15 from the field and ended the game with 21 points and 16 rebounds.

“In a nut shell where we lost the game obviously is rebounding. Being out-rebounded 61-46 is just an unbelievable number,” WSU head coach June Daugherty said. “Credit to obviously the Orange for how athletic they are and how hard they got to the glass, but it is unacceptable and we will address that first thing at practice tomorrow.”

The Cougars gave up more than half of Syracuse’s points in the paint (38) and allowed the opposing team to grab their own misses and get second chance points (16).

Junior guard Tia Presley led the Cougars in scoring with 20 points. This is Presley’s first regular season game since suffering her knee injury against Oregon last year.

“We were just trying to move the ball and get everyone easier shots and not as forced shots. We were trying to move the ball and whoever was hitting was getting the ball,” Presley said. “We were just trying to attack and get some points on the board.”

Another player that was adding a spark for this team was senior Sage Romberg. She finished the first half with 10 points and four rebounds, ending the game with 15 points and six rebounds.

“Yeah, I think we played a lot harder this year than last year. That is just what we need to keep doing is playing harder,” said Romberg.

WSU could not capitalize on open shots and fast break opportunities. The team shot 29 percent from the field and had two fast break points when they forced the Orange to 19 turnovers. From behind the arc their struggles continued, shooting 7-27 from the three point area. 

Galdeira could not get anything going this game and shot 3-16, ending with 12 points.

“I think Lia got caught holding the ball too much tonight, some of that is credit to Syracuse, no doubt you want to give them credit, very athletic and defensive minded,” said Daugherty. “But I think what she has to do is move the basketball a little bit more and trust her teammates.”

The WSU Women’s basketball team looks to bounce back on the road Tuesday night against Seattle University.