UPSET CITY: WSU women beat No. 5 UCLA

The WSU women’s basketball team continues its emergent season with what might be the program’s biggest victory ever: a 67-63 home win over the No. 5 UCLA Bruins. Charlisse Leger-Walker—who else?—led the way with 28 points, including a huge three-pointer with 42 seconds remaining to give WSU a 64-63 lead. Leger-Walker hit three free throws in the closing moments to cement the win. Leger-Walker had 13 of WSU’s 15 fourth-quarter points.

Here’s her clutch three-pointer:

You can read the school’s recap here, but let’s focus quickly on what’s been going on with this team.

ESPN’s bracketology had WSU as a nine seed three days ago (it has WSU facing Texas in the first round—that’s where Kamie Ethridge played her college ball).

This is WSU’s third win over a ranked opponent this season. That’ll come in handy come March, should WSU find itself on the bubble. Of their six losses, only two have been by double digits—both games against Stanford.

The Cougs also have a very favorable schedule the rest of the way:

• vs. USC on Feb. 7
• at Arizona on Feb. 12
• at Arizona State on Feb. 14
• vs. Colorado on Feb. 19
• vs. Utah on Feb. 21
• vs. Washington on Feb. 28

Only Arizona is ahead of WSU in the standings, for what it’s worth. WSU lost to USC in overtime back on Jan. 15. WSU’s scheduled game earlier this season against Arizona State was postponed. In addition, WSU has had two games against last-place Cal postponed. Should those games be made up, they’ll offer WSU more opportunities to boost its postseason resume.

WSU already has wins over Colorado, Utah and Washington and beat Arizona in overtime back on Jan. 10.

Of course, this means nothing other than some arbitrary baselines. That’s why they play the games.

By the way, the entire women’s tournament this year is taking place in San Antonio. Plan accordingly.

Here are yesterday’s highlights:

WSU’s win over UCLA capped off an amazing 10 days for WSU athletics

Let’s review this week:

• Last Thursday and Saturday: Cougar volleyball swept Arizona State on the road.
• Sunday: The WSU men beat UW in Noah Williams’ city.
• Thursday: Cougar volleyball beats No. 18 UCLA
• Thursday: The WSU men beat Oregon in Eugene
• Friday: The WSU women beat No. 5 UCLA

Volleyball hosts UCLA again today looking for the sweep, and Cougar soccer finally gets underway tomorrow at Seattle University. The WSU men are going for the Oregon sweep today at Oregon State.

Hell of a time to be a Coug.

In other news.....

And finally....

That’s WSU track star Ray Wells Jr. showing why he was recently selected to be on season 13 of American Ninja Warrior.

Links

Charlisse Leger-Walker helps Washington State upset No. 5 UCLA | The Spokesman-Review
Charlisse Leger-Walker hit a go-ahead 3 with 42 seconds left and finished with 28 points, leading Washington State over No. 5 UCLA 67-63 on Friday.

Back in Business - Washington State University Athletics
After months away the Cougs are back on the pitch Sunday at Seattle U.

Cougs Knock Off No. 5/4 UCLA to Collect their First Win Over a Top-Five Foe - Washington State University Athletics
PULLMAN, Wash. – The list of firsts continues to grow for the Washington State women's basketball program under head coach Kamie Ethridge. The Cougars knocked off

Cougs Compete at Arkansas Qualifier - Washington State University Athletics
Wins from Zach Stallings and Mitch Jacobson headlined a successful outing for both WSU squads.

WSU women’s basketball star freshman Charlisse Leger-Walker lifting Cougars to new heights | The Seattle Times
WSU freshman Charlisse Leger-Walker has been tearing it up on the court and has the Cougar women's basketball team eyeing an NCAA tournament appearance for the first time in 30...