Cougar Women Open With Lopsided Defeat

Women’s basketball

Colorado State used a 15-point run in the second half Friday night to hand Washington State a season-opening 84-63 women’s basketball loss at Friel Court in Pullman.

Freshman Jacque Johnson was the leading scorer for the Rams (1-0) with a game-high 21 points.

The Cougars were led by senior Kristin Erickson, who scored 20 points, and freshman Joanna Smith, who added 11 - along with six rebounds.

“We played well in the first half and we had an opportunity to put some distance between us,” WSU coach Harold Rhodes said, “but we just rushed on offense.”

WSU grabbed a nine-point lead early in the first half on an Erickson 3-pointer, but let it slip away. The Rams tied the game 17-17 with 9:25 remaining and pulled steadily away in the second half after breaking a 37-37 tie in the first minute.

Gonzaga 58, Idaho St. 56

Lydia Ledgerwood scored 15 points and Tenille Jeffries hit a crucial free throw in the final seconds as the Bulldogs (1-0) knocked off host Idaho State (0-1) in the opening round of the Bengal Tournament in Pocatello.

The win gave GU a berth in tonight’s title game against Navy, a 52-49 first-round winner over Air Force.

The Bulldogs, who fought back from a 30-24 halftime deficit, got nine rebounds from freshman Sydney Perno.

Idaho 81, Sac State 62

Freshman Alli Nieman scored 18 points to lead a quartet of double-figure scorers for Idaho as the Vandals opened their season by belting the visiting Hornets.

UI overcame a 40-percent shooting effort with balanced scoring and hard work on the boards. Michelle Greenwood scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Vandals, while teammates Kathryn Gussett and Lauren Newman each added 11 points.

Gussett also contributed a game-high 12 boards.

NIC 82, CBC 58

Sophomore guard Mandy Jacques scored 21 points, made nine steals and dished out six assists as the Cardinals recovered from a slow start to thump the visiting Hawks.

, DataTimes MEMO: Changed from the Idaho edition