Cougar women lose 4th straight game

While the WSU men's basketball team is riding high at 3-1 in conference play and winners of three straight games, the women's team has gone the opposite direction in conference play. The Cougars completed a successful non-conference slate, but have been unable to finish games in the Pac-12 schedule. That trend continued on Friday when WSU squandered a 16-point second-half lead to No. 9 Oregon State in a 73-70 loss.

The Cougars have now lost four straight games and are 1-4 in conference play. To make matters even worse, center Shalie Dheensaw suffered a knee injury late in the game against the Beavers. According tot he Gazette Times, Dheensaw had a brace on her right knee after the game.

WSU has been close during its four-game losing streak, but just not able to do enough to come away with wins. They've come within just a few points of back-to-back wins against top 15 teams. WSU lost to No. 14 Stanford last Sunday before losing to Oregon State by three.

Close won't get you much when the postseason comes and the Cougars have plenty of work to do if they are going to make it two straight seasons with a postseason berth.

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Football:

New Cougar DC calls takeaways 'imperative' - Spokesman.com - Jan. 16, 2015
Before the ball is snapped, the defense implemented by new Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will look pretty similar to the one employed by his predecessor, Mike Breske, at least in structure. The Cougars will still run a 3-4 base defense and with so many young starters last season, the personnel will for the most part be the same.

New WSU defensive coordinator wants team playing ‘downhill’ | Cougar Football | The Seattle Times
As Washington State’s new defensive coordinator tells it, the entirety of the process that landed him in Pullman happened after the New Year, or five weeks after the position came open.

Exclusive: Introducing Washington State Cougars' Kalifitoni Pole - Pro Player Insiders
As pacific islanders like Manti Te’o in 2013 and Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota this year begin to make an impact in the NFL, former Washington State nose tackle Kalifitoni Pole is attempting to be next in line.

Women's basketball:

Cougars Surrender Late Lead to No. 9 Oregon State, Fall 73-70 - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State surrendered a late to No. 9 Oregon State who came from behind to hold off the Cougars upset bid, 73-70 in front of 3,087 fans at Gill Coliseum Friday.

Ruth Hamblin's career-high 31 leads Oregon State past Washington State | OregonLive.com
Ruth Hamblin scored a career-high 31 points, tied a career best with 16 rebounds and added seven blocks and No. 9

9th-ranked Oregon State women beat Washington State | Cougars | The Seattle Times
With the No. 9 Oregon State women’s basketball team trailing by double digits early in the second half, the message during a timeout was simple.

Soccer:

Nicole Setterlund Selected in NWSL Draft - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Cougar midfielder went to Chicago in the third round.