The #1 Washington State women's basketball team fell in a blow out game (81-58) to #4 Illinois during the semifinals in the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT).
The Fighting Illini lived up to their namesake today and came out of the gates ready to fight against the Cougs. Illinois led 23-14 in the first quarter.
The second quarter told a similar story to the first, Wazzu couldn't catch Illinois who led 42-28 at half. The Fighting Illini's Makira Cook was indeed cooking , scoring 16 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound to end the half. Genesis Bryant scored 12 points of her own while Adalia McKenzie scored 8 points. The Fighting Illini ended the half shooting 58% from the field.
The Cougs' Eva Villa started hitting important shots, scoring 9 points at the half. Beyonce Bea ended the half with 6 points, 2 assists and 3 rebounds. Bea Murkatete throwing down in the paint with 5 rebounds of her own. To succeed in the second half, the Cougs need to control the ball, Illini forced eight turnovers while Wazzu only forced three.
Both teams had 40% or below beyond the arc at the half.
During the second half, WSU just couldn't get the necessary stops and continued to turn over the ball. At one point in the third quarter the Cougs had four turnovers while scoring no points, allowing the Illini to go on a 7-0 scoring run.
The Illini would make a bad pass which then gave Wazzu the momentum to go on a 6-0 run with a little less than three minutes in the third. This wouldn't help turn the score in Wazzu's favor because with every score WSU made, Illinois would answer with a bucket of their own.
Illinois would seal the deal hitting important shots from the field and beyond the arc while WSU missed vital points. The Fighting Illini took advantage of the Cougs sloppy ball handling by forcing 18 turnovers while Wazzu only forced nine.
The Washington State Cougar's leading scorer was Astera Tuhina with 20 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds. Tuhina was followed by Villa with 14 points of her own. Murkatete fought until the end with 9 rebounds.
The Illinois Fighting Illini's leading scorer was Cook with 20 points, she also led the team in assists with 5. Three other players on Illinois scored in double digits. Kendal Bostic led the team in rebounds with 9 and Camille Hobby trailed right behind with 8 of her own.
The Washington State women ended their season 21-15 overall.
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