Cougs win in Rocky Mountains
Charlisse Leger-Walker put up 30 points in WSU win
WSU guard Krystal Leger-Walker (4) jumps back while looking at the hoop during the first half of an NCAA collegiate basketball game against UW, Jan. 28, in Beasley Coliseum.
February 7, 2022
The Cougars won a close match against the Colorado Buffaloes, 63-56.
With the win, WSU extends their winning streak to four games. The Cougars are now at 14-6 on the year and 6-3 in Pac-12 conference play.
Both teams struggled to score in the first two-quarters of play, resulting in a 22-19 score at half. The game quickened pace in the third quarter with the Cougs putting up 20 and the Buffaloes putting up 22. At the end of the third quarter, Colorado was in the lead 42-41. The Cougars then grabbed the game from Colorado in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points. In the end, WSU was victorious.
Colorado struggled to be progressive on offense, going 0-4 from behind the arc. This was the 21st time these teams have met. The Cougars now lead the series 13-8 after Friday’s win. The Cougars are 6-4 on the road this season and have won two of their last three Pac-12 games away from Pullman.
Charlisse Leger-Walker led the Cougars in points, scoring 30. She played a major role in the Cougars win by finding open shots and helping run a fast-paced offense. This is her third straight game scoring in double-digits.
Johanna Teder is stepping up for the Cougars, responsible for 14 points against Colorado. The guard from Estonia is averaging 14.4 points per game over her last five contests and has scored 10 or more points in four of her last five games.
Despite just scoring three points, Ula Motuga had an impactful role in the WSU win. Motuga earned 11 rebounds and two steals in Friday’s game. She got an offensive rebound late in the game to help secure the win.
Krystal Leger-Walker led the team with six assists. Her vision on the court was impactful, giving forwards opportunities to score inside.
“I just like the fact that I think our team is starting to get out of their funk a little bit better than we did early on,” head coach Kamie Ethridge said.
Ethridge’s 46 wins are the most by a fourth-year WSU head coach in the NCAA era and the second-most all-time behind Sue Durrant’s 52 wins.
“We’re finding ways to score and handle what defenses are trying to do to us,” Ethridge said.
The Cougs will have to handle the Oregon Ducks’ tough defense at noon on Wednesday in Beasley Coliseum.
