Cougars Show Grit in Tough Road Loss to USC
LOS ANGELES - Washington State may not have left the Galen Center with a win, but they certainly left a mark.
In a gritty road performance, the Cougars clawed their way back from a halftime deficit and pushed USC to the wire before ultimately falling 68-61. It was the kind of game that doesn’t show up in the win column but says a lot about a team’s resolve - especially on the road, against a Pac-12 opponent, and with foul trouble looming large all afternoon.
Let’s start with the fight. Down seven at the break, Washington State didn’t fold.
They came out in the second half with energy, defensive intensity, and just enough shot-making to keep things interesting. By the midway point of the half, they’d trimmed the Trojans’ lead to a single point and were very much in striking distance.
A big reason they were able to stay close? Perimeter shooting.
The Cougars knocked down nine threes, including timely ones from Rihards Vavers, Emmanuel Ugbo, and Tomas Thrastarson. On the flip side, they held USC to just 1-of-13 from deep - a defensive effort that kept the game within reach even as the Trojans found their rhythm at the free-throw line.
And that’s where the foul trouble really hurt. WSU sent USC to the stripe 34 times, and the Trojans made the most of it, converting 27 of those chances. That kind of disparity can swing a game, and in this one, it did.
Still, the Cougars didn’t go quietly. Vavers led the way with 13 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting, showing off his ability to find space and knock down shots under pressure.
Jerone Morton and Eemeli Yalaho each added 10 points, providing much-needed offensive balance. Ugbo chipped in six points and six boards, including a big three that cut the deficit to four early in the second half.
ND Okafor added eight points and four rebounds, giving WSU some interior presence on both ends.
One encouraging sign? Ball security. After the break, the Cougars committed just two turnovers - a testament to their poise and execution in a hostile environment.
Next up, Washington State returns to the Pacific Northwest for a neutral-site matchup in the 509 Classic. They’ll take on Eastern Washington on Wednesday, December 17 at the Numerica Veterans Arena in Spokane. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., with coverage on SWX and tickets available through TicketsWest.
The record may not reflect it just yet, but this is a Cougars team showing signs of growth. If they keep bringing this kind of fight, the wins will come.