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Wildcats looking for revenge in NW

Hoping to shake off Saturday's home loss to Stanford, the No. 20 UA women's basketball team heads north to take on the Washington State Cougars tonight.

After an 11-1 start in non-conference play, the Wildcats(12-2, 1-1 Pacific 10 Conference) split their Pac-10-opening series against California and Stanford.

"After last weekend's performance, we want to come out with fire and really put it to the Cougars," head coach Joan Bonvicini said. "Our defensive effort was not where it should be against Stanford, and so we've worked on it and will get some more stops this weekend."

Bonvicini is looking for redemption in the Pacific Northwest after the team lost both games on last season's road trip to Washington. Maintaining a high level of intensity could be the key, she said.

"We want to jump out to a lead early on and maintain it. In both of our losses, we have gotten leads early on but have been unable to keep them," Bonvicini said. "From right at the tip-off, we are going to be very defensive focused."

Senior guard Felecity Willis said the team's roster is strong and will be the key to beating the Cougars.

"We are going to really put it to Washington State," Willis said. "Our team is deep, as we cover every position and we are really tough to match up against. We're going to really run them."

The road trip to Washington is also a homecoming for senior forward Tatum Brown, who resides in Tacoma, Wash.

"I know some of the players on both Washington and Washington St. and then I have some friends that just go to school there, so I am just excited all around," Brown said. "My family gets to see me play at home, so I am just looking forward to going home."

Leading the Cougars (3-9, 0-2 Pac-10) this season are senior forward Alke Dietel, who is averaging 12.6 points per game, and senior guard Jen Kerns with a season 11.5 ppg.

The Cougars, which are in last place in the Pac-10, are led by a new head coach this year, Jenny Przekwas.

Though Przekwas has led the Cougars to a 3-9 start, her overall coaching record is 136-108 and she has the potential to turn the program around, according to Bonvicini.

"Their program is on their way up with the new coach. This should be a pretty good game for both teams," she said.