The WSU women’s basketball team will travel to the desert to face their next two opponents, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University.

Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. Thursday against the Arizona Wildcats followed by 1 p.m. Saturday against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

“Obviously we felt like we played some good basketball against both those teams here,” Head Coach June Daugherty said, “and we’re looking forward to becoming more improved and playing tougher on the road.” 

Daugherty commented on the health of the Cougar women. Game minutes for senior guard April Cook are still to be determined due to back problems, Daugherty said. Freshman guard Tia Presley, due to an injured foot, and redshirt sophomore Ireti Amojo, due to a torn ACL, will not play for the remainder of the season, Daugherty said.

“To our kids' credit, I think that they've had to take on a bigger roll and responsibility,” Daugherty said. “A lot of our kids that weren't playing as many minutes as Ireti, and not only have they welcomed that, and really worked hard at it but they've done the extra.”

In practice, the team has had to adjust because of the injuries, she said. The coaches are trying to take advantage of the strengths of each healthy player to compensate for the losses, she said. 

“I think that that it probably sounds a little basic, and kind of going back to square one at little bit,” Daugherty said, “but when you have a change like we've had with losing the three guards that we've lost in the last five weeks, you've got to make adjustments.”

To adjust, the team is focusing on exactly what they need to get out of offensive plays, she said.

“I think we need to find our shooters, or know where they are at all times,” said Brandi Thomas, sophomore guard and forward.

Junior center Carly Noyes said the team also needs to focus on last-minute situation plays in practice.

“I thought we made great headway in our containment defense and I thought we did a much better job in rebounding last week,” Daugherty said. “I think that we need to continue to get better at containment because both teams have some very great perimeter quickness that we’re going to have to play against.”

The Cougar women need to play a lot more physically against Arizona and Arizona State because the WSU team will not be on their home court and both opponents play very physically, she said.

“We’re looking forward to just keep practicing and get ready to go down there and get two W’s,” Daugherty said.