DROUGHT ENDED: Danielle LeNoir ended WSU's FG scoring drought, hitting a layin for the team's first FG since the 10:43 mark. UW up 36-25 with 53.8 left in the half.

ODD MATH: UW is up 32-21, using a 17-0 run to get there. But before you start thinking the Huskies are on a tear -- neither team has hit a FG in six minutes. Fourteen of the Huskies points have been off FTs. There's 2:20 left in the first half.

SPOTTED: Washington coach Tia Jackson made a special trip to the courtside seats pregame to shake hands with Gov. Christine Gregoire. UW up 26-21 with 4:24 remaining.

HUSKIES AHEAD: Morton is having a strong first half, hitting two three-pointers and making a sweet over-head pass to Rogers in the paint for a layin that put UW up 22-21. A steal and two made free throws by Whitcomb made the score 24-21 with 5:40 on the clock.

GO LOW: Rogers made back-to-back plays inside to pull the Huskies within 19-17 with 8:42 remaining in the opening half. Neither team is shooting well, so hopefully they'll settle down and start to execute their game plan. There's a lot of nasty street-ball going on now and the Cougs are landing their punches.

Edmundson Pavilion has a buzz Saturday and it's not just the rivalry game against Washington State that sparked the fire. Washington held its alumni game and silent auction prior to the afternoon matchup while the Storm had its annual "Winter Warm-Up" session with season-ticket holders.

With about 60 alumni in the building and nearly 150 Storm ticket-holders roaming around, Hec Ed was the spot to be for a women's hoops fan. Many commented that it was the biggest turnout they've seen for the bi-annual event and Storm Q&A;with owners and coach Brian Agler.

In the game, the "Purple" team, with names like Ana Tuiaea-Rudd (1997-98), Mary Wiegenstein (1967-71) and Michelle Augustavo (2008-09), won 55-53. The game was tied at 50 points apiece with a minute remaining. Then Augustavo hit a three-pointer to put her team ahead. She was 4-for-5 from three-point range in the second half, but couldn't hit a layup to save her life.

"I know, it was embarrassing," she joked. Augustavo is currently interning at Seattle University.

The "White" team featured players like Tara Davis (1991-94), who's still a defensive menace, Andrea Lalum (2001-04), who looks even better than her playing days, and Karen Denman (1975). They were heated they lost the matchup.

"We practiced twice a week and short seasons," said Wiegenstein, of her days playing AIAW ball, coached by P.E. teaching assistants. "I never got enough basketball, so I'm still playing. I'm a gym rat."

After the alumni game, the floor quickly cleared for the real show, however.

Washington State is playing more confidently after its road win against Arizona State earlier this month and coach June Daugherty has implemented a 3-2 zone that she used to play when coaching at Washington. The Huskies simply want to end their six-game win streak while finishing strong at home.

We'll see if either makes a difference. But the real determining factor is going to be which team can make their shots. If the Cougs can, then say good-bye to that 29-game win streak Washington built.

Let's get to it with your starting lineups:

COUGARS
F Katie Madison
F Jazmine Perkins
C Carly Noyes
G KiKi Moore
G April Cook

HUSKIES
F Sami Whitcomb
F Mackenzie Argens
C Regina Rogers
G Sarah Morton
G Kristi Kingma

Tonight's officials are Gator Parrish, Jeneane Pence, and Darla Foutz.

View Original Post at seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/womenshoopsblog/index.html

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