PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State women's basketball team put on a defensive clinic against South Dakota State Monday, Nov. 28, as the Cougars locked up the Jackrabbits to pick up a 61-41 win inside Beasley Coliseum.
The Cougars didn't allow SDSU to make a single field goal in the second quarter, as Washington State limited the Jackrabbits to just three points, all free throws, in the stanza. The three points are the fewest points that Washington State has allowed in a quarter in program history, matching the three points scored against them versus LMU in the fourth quarter on Nov. 11, 2016.
Senior Johanna Teder paced the Cougars against the defending WNIT Champions, as the guard from Estonia scored a season-high 17 points. It is the third-straight game that Teder has scored 10 or more points, as she hit a game-high three 3-pointers and shot a blistering 60% (6-of-10) from the field.
Fellow senior Bella Murekatete recorded her second-consecutive double-double, and her third in the last four games, with a 15-point, 11-rebound effort. It is Murekatete's eighth career double-double.
Junior Charlisse Leger-Walker and sophomore Tara Wallack rounded out the double-digit scoring for Washington State, as Leger-Walker scored 13 points in the win, while Wallack registered 10 points.
Washington State took a two-point lead over South Dakota State into the break at 21-19. WSU's defensive prowess continued on in the third quarter, as the Cougars used a 19-2 run to open the stanza and take a commanding 17-point lead after a pair of free throws from Leger-Walker with three minutes left in the frame.
The Cougars continued to burrow the Jackrabbits in the fourth quarter, as Washington State led by as many as 23 points in the final frame before claiming a 20-point victory. The win improves WSU's overall record to 5-1 on the year, while it also extends Wazzu's winning streak against non-conference foes at home to 11-straight games.
Washington State shot 40.7% from the field in the win over South Dakota State, while limiting the Jackrabbits to just 26.8% in the game. The Cougars did not allow a single SDSU player to score double figures in the victory.
Coach Ethridge on the Win
"I couldn't be happier that we held a team like that to 41 points. Especially with how slow things were for us in the first quarter. I liked our response and the shots we got early. Obviously, they started to fall for us a bit more when we started to run more and get into transition. I thought good things happened for us when we moved the ball. This is a big win for us, and we need to celebrate it and be happy about it."
Coug Notes
- Washington State picks up its first win over South Dakota State. The Cougars are now 1-3 all-time against the Jackrabbits.
- With the win, WSU extends its winning streak at Beasley Coliseum against non-conference opponents to 11 games, which dates back to the 2019-20 season.
- It is the second time this season that Washington State has held a team to 41 points, matching LMU's point total in the 2022-23 season opener back on Nov. 7 in Beasley Coliseum.
- Johanna Teder's 17-point performance set a new season-high in points for the guard. It is also her third-straight game in double digits, while it is her 17th career game with 10-or-more points.
- Bella Murekatete recorded her second-straight double-double, while it is her third of the season. Murekatete now has eight career double-doubles at Washington State.
- Murekatete's 15-point performance is her 36th career game with double-digit points, while the 11 rebounds give the post her 13th career game with double-figure caroms.
- Charlisse Leger-Walker registered double-digit points for the 53rd time in her WSU career.
- Tara Wallack has now scored double-digit points in three of her last four games. While it is her eighth career game at WSU scoring double figures.
Up Next
Washington State returns to Beasley Coliseum this Friday, Dec. 2, as the Cougars rekindle their longstanding rivalry with Montana. Tip-off against the Grizzlies is set for 6 p.m. PT and will stream live on the WSU Live Stream.
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