Broadhead's career high not enough against No. 9 Washington

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Box Score

PROVO, Utah – Cassie Broadhead scored a career-high 24 points, but BYU (6-5) fell 82-70 against No. 9 Washington (11-1) on Thursday afternoon at the Marriott Center.

"I was really proud of my team for coming back and cutting it down to seven or eight in the second half." BYU head coach Jeff Judkins said. "Then we relaxed for two or three minutes. Washington is so offensive--they have so many weapons that an eight-point deficit is all of a sudden up to 16 or 18."

Broadhead's total came on 8-of-16 shooting, with a 3-of-6 mark from beyond the arc. Kalani Purcell recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Brenna Chase scored 10 points for a new career high.

It was the third time this season three players have scored in double figures for BYU.

Kristine Nielson had six of the Cougars' first nine points of the game with a pair of 3-pointers. BYU maintained a narrow lead for most of the first quarter. Broadhead helped to keep the advantage with two contested lay-ins in the last two minutes.

Washington's Natalie Romeo hit a 3 with 29 seconds left to put the Huskies up 18-16, and they held that lead as the first quarter expired.

In the second quarter, Washington outscored BYU 25-7 to lead 43-23 at the half. The nation's leading scorer, Kelsey Plum, had 13 points for the Huskies in the period. BYU was able to connect on just 3-of-19 second-quarter shots.

Shalae Salmon and Purcell combined for the first eight points of the third quarter. Broadhead scored to the next five to cap a 13-0 run as the Cougars pulled within seven at 43-36.

A 12-0 Washington run ensued as the Huskies once again extended their lead. Pulsipher had a layup and Broadhead hit a 3-pointer for the last two field goals of the third quarter as BYU trailed 62-43 heading into the fourth.

Halfway through the final period, the Cougars connected on four straight field goals to cut the lead to 70-56. After Washington went on another run, Chase's eight fourth-quarter points helped keep it wihin 15 points, as BYU fell 82-70.

BYU takes a couple of days off for Christmas before returning to action next week. The Cougars open up West Coast Conference action on the road, playing at Santa Clara on Thursday, Dec. 29. The team then returns home to host WCC foe Loyola Marymount on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.

Team

In its 11th meeting against the University of Washington, BYU fell 82-70. The Huskies lead the all-time series 6-5. The Cougars outscored the Huskies 47 to 39 in the second half of play.

With the loss against the Huskies, the Cougars move to 6-5 on the year as nonconference play comes to a close.

BYU beat Washington in the assist category, 17 to 16, and the Cougars scored 32 points in the paint to the Huskies' 20. BYU also led Washington 8 to 2 in fast break points and 18 to 5 in bench points.

For the third time this season, three Cougars finished in double figures – Broadhead (24), Purcell (16), and Chase (10).

Player

Cassie Broadhead picked up her 10th double figure game of the season and the 15th of her career. Broadhead went into halftime with a team-high seven points, three assists and three steals. To finish the contest, the junior guard led all Cougars in scoring. Her 24 points make for a season and career high. In the loss, Broadhead also tallied season career highs in 3-point field goals with three. The junior finished the game with a team-high four assists and a game-high three steals.

Heading into halftime, Kalani Purcell had a team-best five rebounds. Purcell helped fuel an early third period BYU 13-0 run, scoring four-straight points in the first three minutes of the second half. The All-American senior finished the game with a double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds), her fourth of the season.

Brenna Chase ended the game with a career-high 10 points against the Huskies. Chase went 2-of-3 from behind the arc, and 4-of-5 from the field.

With two early 3-point field goals to give BYU the early 9-6 lead, Kristine Nielson tallied six points in the first 20 minutes of play.