We are used to Charlisse Leger-Walker heading the Washington State scoring but in the Cougars 60-52 loss at undefeated Arizona it was older sister Krystal that led the way with a dynamic 12 points (5/11FG), 9 rebounds and 6 assists performance.
Charlisse had 7 points – just the second time this season she has failed to score in double figures – and 6 rebounds.
Number 18 ranked BYU opened West Coast Conference play wit victories against San Francisco (76-64) and Pacific (94-68).
Against Pacific Tegan Graham, in her 136th NCAA Division I appearance, had 15 points (5/9 3PG) and 5 assists. Arielle Mackey-Williams (3 points and 2 rebounds) and Kaylee Smiler (5 points and 2 rebounds) made contributions off the bench for BYU.
The 136th appearance by Graham means she draws level with Jillian Harmon for the most NCAA Division I games played by a Kiwi.
Barring injury or covid interference she will hold the record outright when BYU host St Mary’s on January 13.
Also in the West Coast Conference Portland were defeated 76-65 by Gonzaga but not before Emme Shearer put up a career best 17 points (5/9FG). She also tallied a couple of rebounds and 3 steals in 24 minutes.
There was better news from the Big West Conference where Olivia Williams scored 12 points (5/10 FG, 2/2 3PG), one point shy of her season best, as UC Irvine defeated UC Davis 76-59.
Other Results:
USC 58 (Tera Reed 2 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist) Colorado 71
Wofford 72 (Helen Matthews 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists) Western Carolina 48
Georgia Southern 69 (Tsubasa Nisbett 1 rebound, 2 assists) Coastal Carolina 72
In Men’s Division I action Callum McRae powered his way to a double-double of 12 points (6/8FG) and 12 rebounds as UC Riverside defeated UC San Diego 59-51. Flynn Cameron, also a starter for Riverside Highlanders, had 13 points, 4 rebounds and a couple of assists.
Abilene Christian 58 (Tobias Cameron 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) Stephen F Austin 64
LACEY LOWDOWN 