WSU upsets No. 7 Arizona
Cougs complete Arizona school sweep
WSU guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) drives toward the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona in Beasley Coliseum, Feb. 20.
February 21, 2022
The WSU women’s basketball team finished strong in Beasley Coliseum on Sunday, pulling off the upset against the No. 7 Arizona Wildcats 72-67.
The Cougars were able to complete the weekend sweep of both Arizona schools. They finished the year 11-2 at Beasley Coliseum – the most season wins at home in program history.
WSU earned their 10th Pac-12 win of the season, which ties the program record for most Pac-12 wins in a single season. The 1990-91 squad set the WSU record for most Pac-12 wins in a season with 10 wins. With Oregon’s loss against Stanford, WSU is now tied for second place in the Pac-12, standing only behind the defending champion Stanford.
The Cougars made more history by tying the program record for the most wins in a season in the NCAA era with 18 wins.
This was the 45th matchup between the Cougars and Wildcats on senior night, celebrating the careers of WSU seniors Krystal Leger-Walker, Shir Levy and Michaela Jones.
The WSU women’s basketball team recognizes Shir Levy (left), Michaela Jones (middle), and Krystal Leger-Walker (right) during senior night before an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona in Beasley Coliseum, Feb. 20.
The Cougars kept with the Wildcats early, down by two at the half. Determined, the Cougars started to pull away, outscoring the Wildcats in the second half by four which was a determinant for the win.
The Cougars outperformed the Wildcats, shooting 54.2% from the field and making nine shots from three-point range.
Johanna Teder led the team with a season-high 21 points in the upset. She has now scored 20-plus points in back-to-back games. Teder showed great consistency in Sunday’s game, shooting 7-12 while going 5-7 from behind the arc. Teder spread the ball around the court, responsible for five assists. With Teder coming to life late in the season, WSU’s hopes of an NCAA Tournament berth are growing.
“It’s been our goal since the season started,” Teder said about the March Madness tournament. “We’re trying to finish this conference strong.”
There were three other Cougars outside of Teder who scored in double-digits. Bella Murekatete scored 16 with an impactful eight rebounds, Charlisse Leger-Walker scored 15 while leading the team with six assists and Krystal put up 12. Murekatete has scored double-digit points in five of her last six games.
Fresh off the upset win against No. 7 Arizona, the Cougars head to California to face the defending champion, Stanford Cardinal at 8 p.m on Thursday.
