Huskies Fall 78-75 in Overtime at Washington State

Wednesday, January 17

Pullman, WA

7:00 PM

University of Washington

6-12, 0-7Pac-12

Washington State

9-10, 2-5Pac-12

OT 1

Washington

Washington State

January 17, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. --- Hannah Johnson pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds and added 13 points while Amber Melgoza scored a team-high 22 but it was not enough for Washington, which lost 78-75 in overtime at Washington State on Wednesday night at Beasley Coliseum.

The Huskies fall to 6-12 on the season and are 0-7 in the conference, dropping the first of two games in the Boeing Apple Cup Series this week between the two teams. The Cougars improve to 9-10, 2-5 in Pac-12 play.

Trailing by one with less than 20 seconds left, Washington was able to tie the game as Melgoza hit one of two from the free throw line with 3.4 seconds left to force overtime. But in the extra session, WSU was able to build a six-point lead with 2:16 left and despite a late run by the Huskies, WSU escaped with the win.

The game was a close one throughout with 12 ties and 10 lead changes. Washington's largest lead was six while WSU held an eight-point lead at one point. In addition, there were 11 runs of five or more points combined as the teams went back and forth throughout.

Johnson recorded her second career double-double: her second in her last three games. Moser, playing in front of at least 40 friends and family from nearby Colton, Wash., scored 11 points including three in the overtime session.

Borislava Hristova recorded a game-high 25 points while Nike McClure had 16 points and 16 rebounds. The Cougars also had 12 blocks in the game.

WSU broke an early 4-4 tie with a five-point run to go up 9-4 three minutes into the game. Down five three minutes later, Washington came alive using a 9-3 run to take its first lead at 15-14 as Fapou Semebene drained a pair of free throws with 49 seconds left in the half. After a WSU three-pointer, the Huskies tied the game with a jumper by Johnson to tie the game at 17-17 at the end of the first quarter.

Washington came out strong to start the second period, as three-pointers by Kierra Collier and Mai-Loni Henson keyed an 8-2 run. That put UW up 25-19 just under two minutes into the period. Two minutes later, Moser drained another long three to make it a five-point UW lead. But the Huskies went silent over the next 4:30 as WSU used a long 13-0 run to take back the lead at 36-28 with 2:50 to go.

Washington snapped the streak with back-to-back three-pointers by Johnson and Moser to pull within two. Just before the half, UW got a fastbreak layup by Amber Melgoza on a near full-court pass from Mai-Loni Henson to tie the game at 26-26 just before the half.

In the third, the two teams opened the period exchanging five-point runs. Washington State broke a 43-43 tie with a 10-4 run late in the quarter to go back up by six and led 53-49 at the end of 30 minutes.

Washington came alive in the fourth quarter, taking back the lead with an early 6-0 run. Johnson got things going with an offensive rebound and putback. Melgoza picked up a steal and took it all the way to bucket on the next possession, then Khayla Rooks gave UW the lead with a tough jumper in the lane. As was the case throughout the game, Washington State answered back with a five-point run to go up three with 6:47 left. Moments later the Huskies tied the game up with another Johnson rebound and tipin. WSU went back up by four but Mackenzie Wieburg drained a big three-pointer and after a steal on the other end, Melgoza hit a running layup to put the Huskies back up 63-62 with 3:50.

The two teams exchanged baskets over the next two minutes before the Cougars hit a free throw to tie up the game with 1:15 left. The Huskies failed to score on the next possession, but Melgoza came up with a big steal and hit a jumper in the lane with 29 seconds left to put the Huskies up 67-65. Without calling a timeout, the Cougars pushed the ball down the court. WSU missed its first shot but go a rebound and Chanelle Molina drained a clutch three with 20 seconds left to put the Cougars up one.

After a UW timeout, the Huskies went to Melgoza, who drove to the paint and was fouled trying to score with 3.6 seconds left. She missed the first one but hit the second to tie the game at 68-68. Washington State called timeout to advance the ball and again went to Molina for a potential game-winner, but it rattled off the back iron and the game went to overtime.

In the extra session, the Huskies struggled from the field, hitting just 1-of-6 from the field. The Cougars opened overtime with a bucket by Hristova. After both teams went scoreless over the next 1:45 seconds, Moser hit a free throw to give the Huskies their first point in OT. But Hristova hit a mid-range jumper on the next WSU possession, then after a missed three for UW, she drained a three to put the Cougars up 75-69 with 2:16 left.

Washington had a great chance with over a minute to go, but three shots in the paint in rapid succession missed the mark. WSU pulled down the rebound but Kierra Collier stepped in front of Hristova going the other way and drew a charge to give the Huskies the ball back with 50 seconds left. The Huskies were finally able to get a field goal as Rooks got an easy layup with 36 seconds remaining. UW quickly fouled Hristova, who missed both free throws with Johnson hauling down a big rebound.

Melgoza was fouled again on the other end driving to the hoop and connected on both free throws to make it a two-point game with 25 seconds on the clock. The Huskies tried to foul on the next WSU possession, but the Cougars were able to evade the UW players and get an easy layup with 21 seconds left. Washington State was again whistled for a foul on the next possession and Moser drained a pair of free throws to make it 77-75 with 13 seconds left.

The Huskies were able to foul the Cougars on the ensuing possession and Chanelle Molina made the first but missed the second. The rebound was battled for underneath eventually going off a WSU player and out of bounds. Washington had one last chance, pushing the ball up the floor and getting it to Melgoza on the wing. However, she was unable to get a shot off before time expired.

The Huskies battled hard on the boards despite being undersized, out-rebounding WSU 50-48 including a 22-19 edge on the offensive glass. Washington also forced 18 turnovers but was outscored in the paint 38-30. The Cougars also recorded 12 blocks to the Huskies' three.

The two teams meet again on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Alaska Airlines Arena. Sunday is Alumni Day with dozens of UW alumni in town for the contest. In addition, UW faculty and staff are eligible to purchase up to four tickets for just $3 apiece as part of WholeU Faculty and Staff Appreciation. Also, the first 500 fans in the doors of Alaska Airlines Arena on game day will receive a free purple "This Is Our House" t-shirt. But wait! There's more! The game is also "Purple Strong" day with free Purple Strong bracelets being handed out and a "Purple Strong" poster-making station. Purple Strong embodies our inclusive spirit here at UW of embracing and celebrating people of ALL backgrounds, ALL beliefs, and ALL walks of life. For tickets, visit http://gohski.es/2B4J1TC.