Cougars, Boise Earn Dial Final

College women’s basketball

Yvonne Kunze’s 18 points and six rebounds led the Washington State Cougars to a 90-63 victory over Northwestern State (La.) in Friday’s opening round of the Dial Classic women’s basketball tournament at Friel Court.

Three other Cougars finished with double figures. Alicia Rubio knocked down 10 of her 12 points in the second half. Tricia Lamb (11 points) and Alke Dietel (12 points) did all their scoring in the first half.

The Cougars’ 10-2 run midway through the first half helped build a 30-11 lead. Washington State extended its first-half advantage to as many as 24 points before leading 50-32 at halftime.

In the second half, Washington State extended its lead to 32 points before finishing with the 27-point margin of victory.

“I thought we played the best that we’ve played all year and the best for a Cougars team in a long time,” said WSU coach Harold Rhodes.

Success at the free-throw line, where the Cougars made 29 of 38, helped WSU maintain its large lead.

Northwestern State was led by sophomore guard Judy Clark’s 24 points. Sonya Bearden added 11 for the Demons.

The Cougars (3-1) will meet Boise State (1-4) at approximately 3 p.m. for the championship.

Boise State defeated Vermont 70-57 in Friday’s other game.

Kim Brydges scored 20 points and added 11 boards to pace the Broncos.

Northwestern State (4-1) will play Vermont (4-2) in the 1 p.m. consolation game today.

WSU 90, Northwestern St. 63

Northwestern State - Chase 0-3 4-4 4, Cooper 2-7 1-2 5, Graf 4-7 0-0 8, Clark 10-15 4-9 24, Price 1-4 1-1 3, Vernon 0-0 1-2 1, Bearden 4-7 0-0 11, Cook 0-3 0-0 0, Converse 1-3 1-2 3, H.Evans 2-4 0-0 4, Newman 0-2 0-0 0, Davis 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-55 12-20 63.

Washington State - Dietel 5-7 0-1 12, D.Evans 1-4 2-2 4, Kunze 8-10 2-2 18, Nyseth 2-2 1-2 6, Lamb 2-5 6-6 11, Harrod 1-2 6-6 8, Collins 0-0 0-0 0, Smith 0-1 1-2 1, Castle 0-1 0-0 0, Ross 0-0 0-0 0, McNeely 2-5 3-6 8, Kerns 1-4 2-2 4, Volkman 3-7 0-1 6, Rubio 3-8 6-8 12. Totals 28-56 29-38 90.

Halftime - Washington State 50, Northwestern State 32. 3-point goals - Northwestern State 3-11 (Bearden 3-4, Price 0-1, Converse 0-2, Clark 0-4), Washington State 5-14 (Dietel 2-2, Nyseth 1-1, Lamb 1-3, McNeely 1-3, Smith 0-1, Kerns 0-1, Volkman 0-3). Fouled out - H.Evans. Rebounds - Northwestern State 35 (Cooper 7), Washington State 40 (D.Evans 7). Assists - Northwestern State 8 (Clark 4), Washington State 19 (Lamb 5). Total fouls - Northwestern State 24, Washington State 19. Technicals - None. A - 482.

Boise St. 70, Vermont 57

Vermont - Church 5-8 5-7 15, Dodge 4-6 0-0 8, Taylor 2-9 0-0 5, Cronin 3-8 0-0 7, Conrad 1-4 0-0 2, Burke 0-0 0-0 0, Colia 1-3 0-0 2, Kirvin 4-11 1-2 9, Coleman 0-0 0-0 0, Zornow 4-8 1-3 9. Totals 24-57 7-12 57.

Boise State - Brydges 7-11 6-7 20, Block 4-9 1-2 9, Lewis 4-8 9-11 19, Barrios 0-4 0-0 0, Fortenberry 0-1 1-2 1, Sumlin 3-5 0-0 6, Umthun 4-6 5-6 13, Freeman 0-0 0-0 0, Rainis 0-0 0-0 0, Durieux 0-3 0-0 0, Hodges 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 23-49 22-28 70.

Halftime - Boise State 29, Vermont 25. 3-point goals - Vermont 2-5 (Cronin 1-2, Taylor 1-3), Boise State 2-6 (Lewis 2-4, Brydges 0-2). Fouled out - Kirvin. Rebounds - Vermont 33 (Taylor 8), Boise State 36 (Brydges 8). Assists - Vermont 15 (Kirvin 5), Boise State 14 (Lewis, Sumlin, Umthun 3). Total fouls - Vermont 21, Boise State 13. Technicals - None. A - NA.

, DataTimes