The Cougars women’s basketball team earned another impressive win on Sunday, this time over the Idaho Vandals in the Battle of the Palouse, 73-59. 

This is the first time in program history that the Cougars started the year at 3-0 in three consecutive seasons. The Cougars had an impressive day as Tara Wallack, Johanna Teder, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Bella Murekatete had points in double digits. 

Teder led the team in points overall with 13, shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range. Wallack had an impressive day as well, securing 12 points and six rebounds for the Cougars. The younger Leger-Walker sister continued to prove consistent, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds. 

Krystal Leger-Walker proved to be effective in play-making as she had a team-high  with six assists. Throughout the game, she was able to get the ball moving for the Cougars and provide an offensive presence that was hard for the Vandals to keep up with.

Prior to the game, she ranked second with assists averaging 5.5 per game. She also led the team in points with steals posting three. 

Murekatete’s dominance was showcased with 10 rebounds and three blocks against the Vandals. She has been one of the most aggressive rebounders this season in the Pac-12 as she currently ranks second in the conference in rebounding at 11 boards per game. Her current progress ranks her as the 22nd-best average in the NCAA. 

The Cougars were able to dominate from the get-go as they were 50 percent from field-goal range compared to Idaho shooting only 32.8 percent. They also learned from their mistakes against Northern Arizona as they better protected the ball and kept their composure throughout the game. Defense proved to be pivotal in the Cougars’ win as they secured 30 defensive rebounds, seven steals and 16 points off of turnovers. 

Next for the Cougars will be their first major test as they play against the Miami Hurricanes in the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship on Nov. 25 in Nassau, Bahamas. This will be the Cougars’ first meeting versus the Hurricanes since the Cougars had a hard-fought loss to the Hurricanes 74-68 at the 2019 Miami Holiday Classic.

That game will be followed by a second in the Bahamas. Game two will see WSU take on No. 5 North Carolina State. The entire tournament can be watched on FloHoops.