Washington State Dominated By #9 Gonzaga In Pullman

In request of a large triumph for their WCC resume, Washington State alternatively ran into nan buzzsaw that presently is nan No. 9 squad successful nan nation. Gonzaga near Pullman pinch an 86-65 triumph complete nan Cougars connected Thursday night.

Gonzaga ruled retired prima guardant Braden Huff owed to a knee wounded for at-least a period conscionable anterior to nan game. The Cougs had their ain extent issues arsenic Rihards Vavers was ruled retired aft suffering a concussion successful believe earlier successful nan week.

ND Okafor sewage into foul problem early and only played astir 10 minutes, which intelligibly impacted WSU's options inside, arsenic good arsenic their defense successful nan paint.

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In nan first half, Washington State did a decent occupation of keeping gait pinch nan Bulldogs, acknowledgment in-part to immoderate beardown three-point shooting by Ave Glass and Simon Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt, nan transportation from High Point, connected connected three-of 4 from heavy and deed WSU's only free thrwow attempt. However, Okafor's absence was felt arsenic nan Cougs were outscored successful nan overgarment successful nan opening 20 minutes 28-6. Gonzaga led by ten, 43-33, astatine nan break.

Okafor picked up his 4th foul successful nan opening 2nd of nan 2nd half and was again sent to nan bench. He would later foul retired pinch nary points and only 2 rebounds. Graham Ike continued to predominate for nan Bulldogs, pinch 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists successful nan 2nd half. WSU were held to only 9 section goals connected 27 attempts successful nan last 20 minutes arsenic Gonzaga cruised to nan last whistle.

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Ike vanished pinch an awesome stat line: 23 points and 11 rebounds pinch 5 assists successful Gonzaga's winning effort.

Ace Glass, Jerone Morton, and Simon Hildebrandt tied for nan lead successful scoring connected WSU's broadside pinch 16 points apiece. While it was acold from nan biggest facet successful WSU's loss, nan Cougars making 10 of 20 free propulsion attempts didn't thief things.

The nonaccomplishment will driblet nan Cougars to 8-11 wide and 3-3 successful West Coast Conference play. WSU won't person agelong to dwell connected nan nonaccomplishment pinch a travel to California successful their contiguous future. David Riley's group play astatine San Francisco connected Sunday, January 18 astatine 4 p.m. earlier heading further southbound to look San Diego connected Wednesday night.

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