Basketball season has arrived, and if the Cougar women want to make an impact under new head coach Kamie Ethridge, Borislava Hristova is going to have to produce. Last night, during their season opener, Bobi Buckets did exactly that, but it wasn’t enough for the Cougs.

On Tuesday night, Washington State welcomed Utah State in Beasley Coliseum to open up the 2018-19 season. Hristova made he presence felt early on, scoring 14 of Wazzu’s first 21 points, putting Washington State on top early. She would finish with 27 points on the night, her 22nd career 20+ point performance. Despite the fast start, the redshirt junior would be forced to leave the game in the 2nd quarter, but would return in the 2nd half

The Cougs were in control early. Washington State even carried a 4 point lead into the 4th quarter. But the final period of play belonged to the Aggies. Utah State closed out the game with a 17-7 run in the final five minutes on their way to the 72-61 win.

It’s a game Washington State had a chance to win and, after letting it slip away, Ethridge was not happy. “I’m disappointed in how I had my team prepared,” Ethridge said after the loss in her debut game with WSU. “I know our system will work if we just stick with it and show a little more discipline. As we go through the season we’re going to be a lot better as we step on the floor even tomorrow than we were tonight and we will be a lot better in a couple of months.”

The Cougs will look to bounce back on Sunday when they hit the floor as part of a doubleheader alongside the men’s team in Pullman. The women will take on St. Mary’s at 1 o’clock, followed by the men’s game at 4 o’clock against Nicholls State. The women’s game will be live streamed on WSU’s website, the men’s game will be seen on the Pac-12 Network.

Hristova's 27 Not Enough in Season Opener - Washington State University
A late run proved to be too much for Washington State women's basketball (0-1) to overcome Tuesday night at Beasley Coliseum

Women’s college basketball: Washington State falls in Kamie Ethridge’s coaching debut | The Spokesman-Review
Hailey Bassett-Meachem scored 23 points and visiting Utah State (1-0) beat Washington State (0-1) 72-61 in Kamie Ethridge’s WSU coaching debut.

Football

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Soccer

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Offensive: Morgan Weaver, JR, WSU (University Place, Wash.)