One hand helping the other
Cowgirls' defense has led to better play on offensive end
January 4, 2017
LARAMIE – The University of Wyoming women's basketball team is all about helping this season.
And the Cowgirls' offense is receiving some unexpected help from the other side of the court.
UW (10-3 overall, 2-0 Mountain West) enters this week ranked second in the conference and No. 22 nationally in points allowed at 54.1 per game.
The obvious result of that number is the opposition is scoring less. But UW's improved defensive play appears to be helping with the offense as well.
The Cowgirls, despite being much more of a half court team than a season ago, are actually averaging four more points a game this season than last (67-63). And they're doing it on fewer possessions.
"We definitely take pride in getting stops and that's what drives us and motivates us," Cowgirls junior forward Natalie Baker said. "Then we're able to turn that into offense and that helps when you know you don't have to score on every possession because of our defense.
"We know that we're probably going to get a good shot up."
That has shown up in the statistics.
UW leads the MW in field goal percentage (42.8 percent) and 3-point field goal percent (36.9), and for good measure also leads the conference in free throw percentage (78.4) as well.
"To slow the game down, having fewer possessions in a game has helped us out offensively," Cowgirls coach Joe Legerski said. "Everyone understands that if the shot is not there for them, they're willing to make the next pass.
"We're looking for one another in the offense. We just always need to make the next pass."
The Cowgirls assisted on 22 of 25 made baskets in Saturday's 79-57 home win over UNLV. At 16.0 assists per game, UW ranks second in the MW to Boise State's 16.3 total.
Individually, UW has two players in the top 10 in assists this season. Sophomore Clara Tapia is fourth at 4.7 per game while senior Hailey Ligocki is ninth (2.9).
"This year we know that whoever has the ball can make a play and we're all capable of doing that," Baker said. "We don't expect one person this year to win us a game," Baker said. "We rely on each other a little more."
Another aspect that has helped the offense has been its overall depth.
Six Cowgirls average at least 6.0 points a game, with another three chipping in 4.4 points or better. And while junior forward Liv Roberts has taken on the mantel as a go-to player on offense for UW, five other Cowgirls have scored in double figures in a game at least three times.
"That's a reflection of what we've been doing," Legerski said. "The team plays with a great deal of confidence and we always talk about trying to get good shots, to get the better shot. We're starting to see that."
The Cowgirls host Fresno State (8-5, 1-1 MW) on Wednesday. The Bulldogs are fifth in the MW in scoring defense at 60.8 points and are anchored by 6-foot-4 junior post Bego Faz Davalos, who leads the MW in both rebounding (11.1 per game) and blocked shots (4.0 per game).
"She's long and super athletic," Baker said of Davalos. "Her length is what differentiates her from any other post player that we play. She's very versatile and quick and runs the floor well. We're going to have to try and make her do some things defensively that she's not used to."
MW leaders
In addition to its shooting prowess, the Cowgirls also lead the MW in scoring margin (plus-13.3 ppg.) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2).
Individually, Roberts has climbed to fifth in scoring at 15.2 ppg. and is fourth in field goal percentage (50 percent) and fifth in the free throw percentage (83.7). UW freshman Taylor Rusk leads the MW in 3-point shooting at 44.8 percent, making 13 of 29 3-point attempts.