Freshman Stotler lifts WSU
PULLMAN – On Friday, Washington State’s veteran players tried to convince the younger players that Saturday’s game against Eastern Washington was a game they needed to win.
At least one of those fresh faces got the message.
Freshman Marisa Stotler had 24 points and 14 rebounds, keying a second-half comeback as WSU came away with a 76-70 non-conference win over the Eagles before 533 people at Friel Court.
“This program has never had a go-to player and Stotler has those types of abilities,” Cougars coach Sherri Murrell said.
EWU (3-5) led by as many as 11 in the second half. Shortly thereafter, it watched a 60-51 advantage crumble under the pressure of a 16-0 WSU run.
The Cougars (2-5) collected five offensive rebounds in 22 seconds in the opening moments of that run, sparking the momentum shift that was to come.
“They started getting offensive boards,” EWU coach Wendy Schuller said. “And it killed us in the end.”
Stotler, who made her first career start, was a big part of that run, scoring 12 of the 16 points. Nineteen of her points and eight of her rebounds came after halftime. She also hit a bucket with 40 seconds left, a tough turnaround jumper that gave WSU a two-possession lead and effectively iced the game.
“I’m probably more nervous in the first half,” the freshman said. “I always do that. My nerves get out.”
For EWU, guard Joanna Chadd had a team-high 23 points, including five 3-pointers. But her scoring from the outside wasn’t enough to overcome 19 offensive rebounds by the Cougars.
“The Cougars always need (a win),” Murrell said. “With a young team like this, it really gives them confidence, understanding that they can do that.”
“Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton had 21 points and five blocked shots to help No. 9 Purdue post a 69-44 non-conference victory over Gonzaga at West Lafayette, Ind.
Gonzaga (6-3), which lost its third consecutive game and its fourth in the past six, was led by Stephanie Hawk with 13 points.
The Bulldogs led twice early in the game, but a 3-pointer by Hawk that broke a 6-all tie was their last basket for more than 6 minutes.
“Katie Madison scored 19 points to lead Idaho to a 76-72 win over Mississippi Valley State at the Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic in Manhattan, Kan.
Three other Vandals scored in double digits. Sara Dennehy scored 16, Liz White added 15 and Jessica Summers chipped in with 10.
Idaho and Mississippi Valley State are both 3-4.
“Whitworth trailed at halftime for the first time this season, but a balanced attack led a Pirates rally and eventual 68-59 home victory over Lewis & Clark in a Northwest Conference game.
Five players scored in double figures for Whitworth (5-0, 2-0), which outscored the Pioneers 40-27 in the second half to erase a 32-28 halftime deficit.
Freshman Leah Pomante (Mt. Spokane) came off the bench to spark Whitworth with 12 points. She scored every Pirate point during an 8-2 run that turned a four-point deficit into a 50-48 lead with 8 minutes left in the game.
The Pioneers (2-3, 0-2) regained the lead briefly at 51-50, but three free throws by Jamie Scott and another Pomante jumper gave Whitworth the lead for good.
Susan McDaniel tossed in a team-high 15 points for the Pirates. Natalie Orrell and Tiffany Corigliano added 11 apiece, and Alida Bower had 10. Cassie Snyder directed the offense with 11 assists.
“Mercedes Alexander totaled 21 points and nine rebounds to lead Lane to a 70-60 win over Community Colleges of Spokane (6-1) at the Everett Holiday Classic in Everett.
Emily Wittkopf led the Sasquatch with 11 points and nine rebounds.