Washington State Women’s Basketball: Cougs Split Weekend Series With Arizona’s
By Josh Davis
March 9, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars guard/forward Sage Romberg (22) goes in for a basket against the California Golden Bears during the semi final round of the 2012 Pac 12 Tournament in the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington State women’s basketball team had more of a growing experience over the weekend, losing to Arizona at home but then exploding for a win over Arizona State on Sunday. Kind of a lesson in more-of-the-same for WSU fans, as this now 5-8 team struggles to find their identity with 6 freshman and 3 sophomores on the roster.
The young Cougars didn’t handle pressure well against the 9-3 Wildcats Friday night, allowing several mini-runs in full-court press situations and eventually caving, 71-65. The good news in that game was that they had a better than average chance at winning the game against a really good team. After all, they outrebounded the Cats by 10, held them to 5-17 3 pointers (UA is the best team in the Pac-12 in 3 pt pct.) and forced 20 turnovers. The bad news was that the 20 Cougar turnovers did them in because Zona capitalized with easy buckets and benefited with a 38 point night in the paint.
Conversely, 2 days later, Wazzu was fueled by the brilliant play of their guards and found a way to hold off a pretty good ASU club by hitting timely buckets. Sophomore Tia Presley racked up 27 points, while freshman Taylor Edmondson drilled four 3’s in a 17 point performance. Junior forward Sage Romberg also scored 17, after a 10 point effort against Zona.
The ladies now get set for a three-in-five stretch that starts Friday at UCLA, continues Sunday against USC and finishes next Tuesday in Hec Ed with Washington.