Area women’s basketball: Alexy Swedlund, Borislava Hristova lead Washington State over Wichita State

Alexys Swedlund and Borislava Hristova scored 27 points apiece and Washington State defeated Wichita State 85-59 Thursday at the Duel in the Desert in Las Vegas.

Swedlund knocked down seven 3-pointers, one shy of the school record, while setting a career-best scoring mark. The Cougars (5-6) shot 52 percent (14 of 27) from beyond the arc.

Hristova led WSU with 12 rebounds and has scored in double figures in all 11 games. Chanelle Molina chipped in 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

“I just thought we competed better,” Washington State coach Kamie Ethridge said. “We managed the game for 40 minutes. I loved our post play and our physicality in the post.”

Jaida Hampton led the Shockers (6-6) with 14 points. Sabrina Lozada-Cabbage added 11 points and nine rebounds.

The Cougars begin Pac-12 play Dec. 30 at Washington.

(4) Mississippi State 103, Washington 56: Jordan Danberry had a career-high 20 points, Anriel Howard scored all 16 of her points in the first half and the Bulldogs jumped to a 21-point first-quarter lead and cruised to a win over the Huskies in Seattle.

Playing two days after falling at No. 7 Oregon, Mississippi State (11-1) showed no hangover. The Bulldogs used their size and athleticism to overwhelm Washington from the start and scored 18 of the first 21 points and were never threatened. Teaira McCowan added 13 points and 13 rebounds in just 22 minutes.

Mississippi State led 56-21 at halftime and by as much as 50 in the second half.

Alexis Griggsby led Washington (7-5) with 11 points off the bench and Hannah Johnson added 10. Scoring leader Amber Melgoza was held to three points, all coming at the free-throw line.