Feb. 24, 2007
PULLMAN, Wash. - Sophomore guard Amanda DuRocher led the Washington State offense with 24 points and a career-high six successful three point attempts Saturday against Oregon State in the final regular season game of 2007. WSU finishes the regular season with an overall record of 5-23 and a Pac-10 record of 1-17. Oregon State (9-18, 4-14 Pac-10) claimed the 66-61 victory over WSU at Beasley Coliseum.
Washington State also recived a double-double from Kate Benz who recorded 12 points and 14 rebounds. It was the senior's second double-double of the season and her second straight double-digit rebound effort.
For Oregon State, Casey Nash led all scorers with 28 points while Jasmine Smith contributed 12 points.
Washington State took a 39-27 lead into halftime after dominating much of the first half. The Cougars led by 12 with 8:48 remaining in the first period after Adriane Ferguson knocked down a three-point shot to end a 20-2 WSU run. The Beavers fought back, pulling to within six points with 4:53 to play but DuRocher closed out the half with her fifth consecutive three-point shot to put the Cougars up by nine. She was 5-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first half alone. Layups by Adriane Ferguson and Kate Benz gave the Cougars' the 12-point advantage at the break.
In the second half, WSU extended their lead to 16 points on another successful jumper by DuRocher at the 11:42 mark. The Beavers pulled to within seven after Casey Nash sank two free throws with 9:23 remaining in the game. OSU then went on a 15-3 run late in the second half to take the lead, which they had not done since 12:43 in the first half. Oregon State hit 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the closing minute of play to seal the win.
Washington State shot 56 percent from the field in the first half and a season-high 47 percent from the three point line, including shooting 8-of-9 in the first half. The Cougars outrebounded the Beavers 44-27. Oregon State, however, went 19-of-27 from the free throw line while Washington State was only 7-of-16.
WSU travels to San Jose and the 2007 State Farm Pac-10 Tournament. First round action begins Friday, March 2 and concludes March 5. All games will be held at the HP Pavilion Center in San Jose, Calif.