Cougars travel south

WSU has lost last three away games this season

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COLE QUINN

WSU guard Krystal Leger-Walker (4) looks to pass the ball during a college basketball game against the University of San Francisco in Beasley Colliseum, Dec. 3, 2021.

DAYLON HICKS, Evergreen reporter

The WSU women’s basketball team heads to Los Angeles to play against the USC Trojans at 7 p.m. Friday in Galen Center. 

This is WSU’s fourth Pac-12 matchup of the season. Friday’s game would be the fifth Pac-12 contest, but WSU’s contest against Arizona State was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Sun Devils program. 

This will be the 46th matchup between WSU and USC. The Cougars have a difficult time securing wins against the Trojans, with an 8-37 overall record against USC.

In their last matchup, the Cougars lost to USC, 81-71. Despite the loss, WSU’s Charlisse Leger-Walker and Ula Motuga had stellar 20-point games. 

WSU’s most recent outing resulted in a loss to No. 7 Arizona, 60-52. Despite the loss, the Cougars showed fight and resilience against the Wildcats, which should transition against USC. 

Krystal Leger-Walker seems to be getting better each game as of late. In the loss against the Wildcats, she scored a team-high 12 points, earned nine rebounds and six assists, almost securing a triple-double. 

Bella Murekatete showed improvement against Arizona, scoring 11 points. Murkatete’s outing in Tucson was her first time scoring in double-digits since December 12 against Boise State. Murkatete is essential close to the rim, ranking in the top-10 in rebounds and blocks per game for the Pac-12.

Charlisse had a slow game against Arizona, scoring seven points. Despite a low-scoring outing for Charlisse’s standards, her baskets helped keep the Cougs in the game.

Going into the contest, the Cougars rank above USC in points scored in the Pac-12. USC is currently 8-4 and 1-1 in conference play, ranking fourth in the Pac-12. WSU is currently 9-5 and 1-2 in conference play, ranking sixth in the conference.

Last Sunday, USC upset the Wildcats, with guard Alyson Miura scoring a team-high 15 points. Freshman forward Rayah Marshall earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Week because of her crucial blocks. USC is ranked first in the Pac-12 in blocks per game. Jordan Sanders is the leading scorer for the Trojans, averaging 11.9 points per game.

The Cougs are set to take the court at 7 p.m. Friday in Galen Center. Fans can catch the game on the Pac-12 Network.