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Almost a year to the day after beating ASU 57-38, the Wildcats came up with the first score and took a 3-0 lead on a three-point shot courtesy of sophomore guard Jordan Pfau.
ASU began to gain steam and took the lead over WSU, but senior guard Caela Mohre stole the ball and took it down the court, scoring an easy layup and giving the Wildcats the lead.
Mohre’s steal was one of the 30 turnovers the Wildcats forced in the game. That steal also proved to be a major turning point in the game. It led the Grizzlies to only score 13 points and caused them to give up 24. By the end of the first half, WSU led 32-18. Despite its best efforts in the second half, ASU was not able to overcome the Wildcats’ defense. WSU ran away with a 60-42 win.
WSU’s victory Saturday night marked its first win under new Head Coach Bethann Ord. After the game, Ord said she was proud of the team’s performance. She also said the team met most of the goals it had made before the game.
“I think we did well,” Ord said. “We really kept (Adams State) on their toes.I’m really proud of our girls because every one of them that were able to play stepped up. I gave them some goals before the game, and I think we got every one of them.”
The Wildcats only had seven healthy athletes able to compete. The rest of the players were all out due to injury.
“Getting the players healthy and back on the court is one of our biggest priorities for this upcoming week,” Ord said.
Pfau and junior Shawnte Taylor both recorded double-digit rebounds, and Taylor also recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points to go with her game high of 12 rebounds. Mohre was the team’s leading scorer on Saturday, scoring 12 points and making all six of her free throw attempts.
Mohre said she felt the team did really well, and that the team’s defensive play was very strong. She also said the team needs to continue working on its pressure defense.
Like Mohre, Ord said there is plenty for the girls to work on this week before going back to the court in a game-like situation.
Next week, the Wildcats will be playing their first game of the regular season when they take on the Boise State University Broncos in Boise, Idaho Sunday afternoon. Dating back to 2009, WSU is 1-1 against BSU. The Wildcats won last year’s match-up.
Mohre said both teams are “run-and-gun” types of teams, but she is not concerned about the match-up. She said, “I believe that we are a quicker, more athletic team.”
The team is looking forward to improving upon last season, when the Wildcats finished the year 7-22 under coach Carla Taylor.
