Jarosch’s Return Spells Trouble For No. 14 UW WSU Women Ride Senior Guard To 72-67 Pac-10 Win Over Huskies

Welcome back Susie Jarosch.

The Washington State University senior guard returned to the lineup Saturday night against Washington and helped the Cougars score a 72-67 win over the No. 14 Huskies at Bohler Gym.

The win gave the Cougars (6-8 Pac-10, 13-10) back-to-back weekend home wins against nationally ranked competition (the Cougars upset then-No. 16 Oregon State last Sunday). It snapped a four-game losing streak against the Huskies and gave WSU coach Harold Rhodes his second win against UW in 14 years.

As almost everyone attested afterward, a win without Jarosch would have been highly improbable. After being out of the lineup with an injured left knee last weekend, Jarosch came back with a vengeance.

“I would have probably had to have been dead for them to keep me out of the lineup,” Jarosch said.

Jarosch’s 3-pointer with 8:48 remaining tied the score at 53. Two minutes later, she nailed another to give WSU the lead for good at 58-57.

“She was just awesome,” UW center Rhonda Smith said. “That’s what a senior should do. She’s hurt, she comes in and lifts the team. That’s her job.”

Jarosch finished with nine points, shooting 3 for 3 from behind the 3-point arc.

She wasn’t alone in sparking WSU.

Forward Amy Saneholtz finished with 12 points and seven rebounds after colliding with UW point guard Katia Foucade in the second half. Saneholtz had no points and one rebound at halftime.

“Sometimes when you get hurt like that, it forces you to suck it up and play a little tougher,” Rhodes said. “We got on her a little at the half, but she stepped it up from there.”

Jenni Ruff jump-started the Cougars early and finished with 14 points.

Washington (10-4, 20-7) held a 41-32 halftime lead. However, WSU’s Kelli Kronberger hit a 3-pointer just before the half to give the Cougars some momentum.

“That 3-pointer was big for them,” Foucade said. “I think we got a little complacent, and they just went right by us.”

Down the stretch, though, it was WSU’s ability to make its free throws that made the difference. The Cougars were 20 for 24 from the free-throw line, while Washington shot a horrific 7 for 18.

Washington State travels to Arizona and Arizona State next week. The Cougars haven’t won on the road in conference all season.

“I’m really confident this can carry over to the road,” Jarosch said. “I think we are starting to hit our peak.”

Said Rhodes: “We elevated our game mentally against Washington. Washington has always had a mental advantage over Washington State. This team is playing with confidence.”

Washington St. 72, Washington 67 WASHINGTON (20-7)

Gonsalves 5-8 1-2 11, Lewis 5-8 0-1 10, Smith 7-13 3-6 18, Foucade 6-12 0-2 5, Kelly 2-8 0-2 5, Wuschnig 0-4 0-0 0, Savasta 1-7 0-0 2, Pelz 1-3 1-2 3, Niemela 1-3 1-2 3. Totals 28-66 7-18 67.

WASHINGTON STATE (13-10)

Ruff 5-14 4-4 14, Saneholtz 4-10 4-4 12, Ellis 2-9 7-7 11, Wight 3-6 0-1 7, Kronberger 3-7 0-1 8, Jarosch 3-3 0-1 9, Erickson 3-7 5-6 11, Evans 0-0 0-0 0, Keith 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-56 20-24 72.

Halftime-Washington 41, Washington St. 32. 3-Point goals-Washington 4-13 (Smith 1-2, Foucade 2-2, Kelly 1-6, Wuschnig 0-1, Savasta 0-2), Washington St. 6-12 (Wight 1-2, Kronberger 2-5, Jarosch 3-3, Erickson 0-2). Fouled out- Lewis, Savasta. Rebounds-Washington 41 (Smith 13), Washington St. 41 (Ellis 12). Assists-Washington 11 (Savasta 4), Washington St. 12 (Ruff, Kronberger, Jarosch 4). Total fouls-Washington 23, Washington St. 18. A-1,282.