WSU Women Beat No. 24 Arizona State: Time to Support the Lady Cougars

March 9, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach June Dougherty talks to an official during the second half of the game against the California Golden Bears in the semifinals of the Pac 12 Tournament at the Staples Center. California won 69-55. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

So keeping track of the Washington State Cougars men’s basketball team may prove to be un-fun for a while, but the ladies are beginning to become a threat in a powerful Pac-12 on the women’s side, meaning there’s still something great to cheer for on the Palouse this wintry basketball season.

Head Coach June Daugherty has been amassing some young stars on the Palouse and quietly putting together a team that can make some noise. Lost in the shuffle of bowl mania and a less than impressive beginning of the season front from the men, the women had already knocked off Ole Miss, West Virginia, Fresno and 10th ranked Nebraska in the out-of-conference slate. Last night’s 85-78 win over No. 24/25 Arizona State gave credence to the fact that our women need to start receiving support from Cougar Nation.

Sophomore Lia Galdeira was sensational once again, scoring 27 points while masterfully conducting a sizzling offense that went 58 percent in the second half alone. She got help from junior Tia Presley’s 17 and sophomore Mariah Cooks down low pumped 11 into the bucket. The Cougs now own four straight over the Devils after sweeping three from them in 2013.

The WSU women are as “for real” as we have seen a basketball team be around here for six years. It’s been a low turnout of attendance at Beasley lately on the men’s side, but it’s time we start showing up and supporting June Daugherty and our ladies. They are putting in work and may threaten to go to the NCAA Tournament.

For the record, their drought in that category is far worse than the football team’s bowl drought. Wouldn’t it be something if that could come to an end! At the very least it gives us something legitimate to stand behind as the rest of the nation looks forward to men’s March Madness!

ASU was 11-1 heading into Pullman last night so that’s a huge victory, obviously. Now it’s time to back it up by beating a down Arizona team (4-8, 0-1) at noon today. If you can’t make the game it will be on Pac-12 Arizona if you get it. Let’s go get back in the national basketball scene in a good way!

WSU WOMEN 85-78 WIN OVER ASU: HIGHLIGHTS

GO COUGS!