PULLMAN, Wash. – A shorthanded Washington State women's basketball team battled No. 11-ranked Utah Friday, Dec. 30, as the Cougars erased a 20-point deficit in the game but ultimately ran out of steam, falling to the Utes, 71-66, in Beasley Coliseum.
The Cougars found themselves trailing the Utes by 20 points at 38-18 with a minute left before halftime. Washington State recovered right before the half, scoring the quarter's final two points to make it a 16-point deficit at the break at 38-22.
WSU opened the third stanza on an 8-2 spurt to make it a 10-point game at 40-30 after a layup from senior Bella Murekatete with 7:40 left in the quarter.