PAC-12 CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 4, 2021

Charlisse Leger-Walker

Washington State Cougars

Postgame Press Conference

Arizona - 60, Washington State - 44

Q. Your team suffered a 60-44 loss here in the Pac-12 quarterfinals to Arizona. Just talk a little bit about the game, just how was the mood in the locker room afterwards and what did you guys learn out of this loss?

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: Definitely disappointing to lose. We've come so far and I think we've improved so much as a team. And obviously today we just didn't have the right intensity or kind of attitude going into the game, I don't think.

And obviously we got exposed a little bit in areas. So definitely disappointing but we're keeping our heads up. Hopefully we can still make the tournament and just we need to get better for that.

Q. You mentioned the tournament. Just what do you think this wait is going to be like over the next week and a half just not knowing whether or not you guys are in?

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: Yes, we'll definitely be kind of on edge just to see whether we're making the tournament or not. But regardless, we're going into the week trying to improve, trying to get better. If we do go, then that's great. If not, then that's just something that we have to look forward to next year and we have to get better as a team.

Q. Talk about Arizona's pressure. They forced you guys into a season-high 26 turnovers. You had 20 of them at the half. You were able to clean it up in the final 20 minutes of play, but what was it about their pressure that was really giving you guys trouble in the first 20 minutes of the game?

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: They were definitely an aggressive team defensively and we did know that. I think it was more kind of forced from our part. We didn't really help each other out. We left each other on islands. And that really got exposed, and they were just able to get up in our lanes and cut people.

Like you said, we had 20 in a half which is a crazy amount. It's definitely a hard thing to come back from. We did tidy up in the second half a little bit. But like you said, such a big lead, it's really hard to come back from that. We just have to tidy that up and work on that in our trainings.

Q. You had a remarkable rather historic freshman season here in Washington State. Now that you've kind of went through your first go around in Pac-12 and play Pac-12 just ended, what are your thoughts going through the first season and what are your thoughts about your freshman season?

CHARLISSE LEGER-WALKER: It's been an amazing season. I mean, this is exactly why I came to the Pac-12 because it's so hard, every game is a challenge. And they are some of the best athletes in the nation and in this conference. And just going up against them every week, I'm so grateful for, and for the opportunity. And I just want to get better, so staying in this conference and playing in these types of plays and teams all the time is just going to help me develop and get better.

So loved the season even though it was short and there were some complications with COVID. Just grateful to be here and to be playing.