Cougs Close Out Non-Conference with a Loss at Stony Brook

STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Washington State women's basketball team closed out its non-conference schedule Sunday, Dec. 19, with a 69-62 loss at Stony Brook to end the Cougar's two-day, two-game cross-country trip.

Washington State, who was playing its second game in a 24-hour stretch against teams that played in last season's NCAA Tournament, battled the Seawolves throughout the afternoon. The game featured 13 ties and five lead changes. The two teams were tied at 57-57 after junior Grace Sarver hit a 3-point field goal with 5:08 remaining in the game. Stony Brook scored 12 of the game's final 17 points to hand the Cougars a seven-point defeat to close out non-conference play.

With the loss, Washington State heads into Pac-12 play at 8-3 on the year. The eight wins are the most collected by the Cougars going into conference play under head coach Kamie Ethridge.

Sophomore Charlisse Leger-Walker once again filled up the stat sheet on Sunday against Stony Brook. The guard from Waikato, New Zealand scored a team-high 19 points, collected five rebounds, dished out five assists and added three steals to her ledger.

All but two Cougs that played scored on Sunday. Redshirt fifth-year senior Krystal Leger-Walker and junior Johanna Teder each scored nine points, while Sarver added seven points off the bench. Junior Bella Murekatete paced the Cougars on the glass, as she pulled down 13 boards and added five points.

Washington State shot 32.8 percent from the floor against the Seawolves, while Stony Brook posted a 45.6 shooting percentage. WSU pulled down 19 offensive rebounds on the day, which led to 17 second-chance points.

Head Coach Kamie Ethridge on the Result
"I just thought it was a really hard-fought game. I really credit Stony Brook. They were very prepared and guarded us great. It was a great home environment. I think it was a great situation for us to come here and play. I think it took us a while to get going, probably based (on the travel) we did. We were tied at half and it was pretty much a close game the entire way. They made a few more game-winning plays than we did. We didn't shoot the ball very well. I think the team that made more plays won the game. I'm not overly disappointed."

Coug Notes
- Washington State concludes the non-conference portion of its schedule at 8-3. The eight wins are the most for the Cougars going into Pac-12 play under head coach Kamie Ethridge.
- Charlisse Leger-Walker extends her double-digit scoring streak to six games.
- Leger-Walker's 19-point performance marks her 32nd career game with double-digit points.
- Junior Bella Murekatete recorded double-digit rebounds for the fourth time this season and the eighth time in her career.
- Krystal Leger-Walker extended her consecutive assist streak to 50-straight games.
- Junior Emma Nankervis matched her season-high in points with four against Stony Brook.

Up Next
Washington State will now take 12 days away from competition over the Holiday season. WSU returns to action Dec. 31, when they host California at Beasley Coliseum to open Pac-12 play. Tip-off against the Golden Bears is set for 7 p.m. PT and will air live on Pac-12 Network Washington.