Friday’s low-scoring Apple Cup contest was compelling (13 ties and 10 lead changes); as well as, maddening (with 15 turnovers by the Washington Huskies and 9 by the Washington State Cougars) — with another adverse PAC-12 ending for the Dawgs.
The first quarter ended with Washington leading 13-8 lead; but the Cougars responded by outscoring the Huskies in the 2nd quarter, 16-6, to lead at halftime 24-19.
The Dawgs came out of the halftime break impressively, oustcoring the Cougs 23-13 in the third period to lead 42-37 heading into the 4th.
Fourth Quarter Pain
In the fourth quarter, the Huskies shot 25% from the field overall (3 for 12).
Washington State erased the Huskies nine-point lead in the fourth period, capped by WSU senior Ula Motuga’s straightaway three-pointer from the top of the key with 14 seconds left to force overtime.
UW’s Haley Van Dyke subsequently missed a driving layup in the paint with one second left in regulation.
Although UW’s Nancy Mulkey fouled out with 55 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, the Cougars were in a similar predicament, losing their star All-PAC-12 guard, Charlisse Leger-Walker —who fouled out with 23 seconds to go in the fourth period.
Overtime Fizzle
The Cougars, however, adjusted to having their star sit out the entire overtime, as they outscored the Huskies ten (10) points to six (6) in the extra period — including Krystal Leger-Walker stepping up in her sister’s absence to score 4 points in overtime (after a scoreless 4th quarter).
Ultimately, WSU out-executed and controlled the extra period enough to secure a 60-56 victory.
Washington State was perfect from the free throw line (6-of-6) in overtime.
Meanwhile, the Huskies went scoreless from the free throw line (0 for 3).
In the extra period, the Huskies only managed to shoot 27% from the field overall (3 for 11) ; while the Cougars shot 50% overall ( 2 for 4) — so despite having eight more shot attempts than WSU, the Huskies’ inefficient offense produced less points.
Although the Dawgs only committed one turnover in overtime; the Huskies took numerous desperate shots with time running out on the shot clock because they could not find any flow offensively.
