Two more EWU men's games postponed due to COVID-19

This week's two-game Big Sky Conference men's basketball series between Eastern Washington and Weber State has been wiped out as a result of ongoing COVID-19 issues within EWU's program.

The games will not be played on Thursday and Saturday as scheduled, and at this time, Big Sky Conference basketball games that are canceled will not be rescheduled. Thus, Eastern's next scheduled games are Jan. 14 and 16 against Southern Utah at Reese Court in Cheney.

The Eagles announced a confirmed positive case on Dec. 30 that resulted in the cancellation of EWU's home games vs. Portland State on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2. Eastern is 2-4 overall, and hasn't played since winning its league opener at Northern Arizona on Dec. 19 and having a game the day earlier canceled.

Weber State's league games last week versus Idaho State were also canceled because of COVID-19 issues within ISU's program. However, the Wildcats picked up a non-conference game against Utah Valley and beat the Wolverines 70-62 to improve to 4-3 on the season. Weber State split its opening weekend of league action against Portland State in December.

Idaho women's basketball games against Southern Utah moved to Friday and Saturday

MOSCOW — Idaho's women's basketball home games against Southern Utah have been moved from Thursday, Jan. 7 and Saturday, Jan. 9 to Friday, Jan. 8 and Saturday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. as agreed upon by both institutions.

Pac-12 announces WSU women's basketball schedule changes

The Washington State women's basketball team will play host to No. 1-ranked Stanford on Jan. 27 at Beasley Coliseum to make up from the postponed Dec. 8 contest between the two schools. Tip-off time for the new date against the Cardinal will be announced at a later date.

Due to the rescheduled contest between Washington State and Stanford on Jan. 27, the conference has also reshuffled the order of WSU opponents for the weekend of Jan. 29-31. The Cougars will now play the Cardinal on Friday, Jan. 29, in Beasley Coliseum, while pushing WSU's previously scheduled home matchup against California back two days to Sunday, Jan. 31. Tip-off times for both contests will be announced at a later date.

Zags Ayayi, Ballo sweep WCC weekly honors

SAN MATEO, Calif. — The West Coast Conference named Gonzaga's Joel Ayayi and Oumar Ballo as men's basketball Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week, respectively.

In the six recognitions of the WCC Player of the Week so far this season, five different Zags have earned the honor. The exception came on Dec. 14, a week when GU did not play a game. A Bulldog player has received the freshman of the week honor four of the six weeks.

Ayayi, a junior guard, recorded three double-doubles in three wins for No. 1 Gonzaga during the week. He totaled 56 points, 31 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and a block in the victories. The redshirt junior made 80.8 percent (21 of 26) of his shots from the field, including 8 of 11 (72.7 percent) from 3-point range.

Ballo, a center, enjoyed a breakout week for the Zags, making all eight of his shots from the field in three victories. He scored a season-high 17 points on 6-of-6 shooting against Dixie State. The redshirt pulled down five rebounds and had two steals in the win.

WSU's Leger-Walker named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for a third time

SAN FRANCISCO — Charlisse Leger-Walker of Washington State was named the Pac-12 Conference women's basketball Freshman of the Week for the second-consecutive week, as announced by the conference office Monday.

Leger-Walker, a guard, averaged 19.5 points, 6.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 steals per game in wins at Utah and Colorado. Her performance helped the Cougars pick up their first Pac-12 road sweep since the 2013-14 season.

The freshman from Waikato, New Zealand opened her week with a 23-point effort at Utah on Jan. 1. Leger-Walker nailed a career-best five 3-point field goals against the Utes, while she also collected a then-career-best four steals.

The 5-10 guard followed that effort up by posting her first career double-double with 16 points and 10 assists in a 76-63 win at Colorado on Sunday.

Washington State plays host to Arizona State on Friday.