In a thrilling showdown at Beasley Coliseum, the Washington State Cougars showcased a well-rounded offensive display to secure an 87-70 victory over Pacific. Leading the charge was Vavers, who lit up the scoreboard with 21 points, sinking five of his seven attempts from beyond the arc. His shooting prowess was complemented by a solid 8-of-12 performance from the field over 33 minutes.
Inside the paint, ND Okafor delivered an impressive 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting, adding four rebounds to his stat line in just 22 minutes. Eemeli Yalaho contributed significantly as well, posting 10 points and grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Jerone Morton was a steady presence, adding nine points, dishing out three assists, and securing a steal, all while maintaining a clean sheet with zero turnovers in his 30 minutes on the court.
The bench played a crucial role in the Cougars' triumph. Making his return after a 12-game absence, Tomas Thrastarson provided a spark with 11 points, five rebounds, and a crucial three-pointer in the second half.
Adria Rodriguez chipped in with five points, five assists, and a block, while Simon Hildebrandt was perfect from deep, scoring nine points on 3-of-3 shooting in just 12 minutes. The Cougars' bench outperformed Pacific's reserves, outscoring them 25-14.
The game was a seesaw battle in the first half, with the lead changing hands seven times and the score knotted on seven occasions. Pacific came out strong, putting WSU on their heels early.
However, the Cougars found their rhythm, shooting a scorching 8-of-13 from three-point range in the first half. A late surge, highlighted by a Vavers three-pointer from a Rodriguez assist, gave them a 51-40 lead at halftime.
Pacific fought back in the second half, narrowing the gap to a single point at 58-57 with under 14 minutes remaining. WSU responded decisively, with Morton hitting back-to-back threes to regain momentum.
The Cougars then went on a defensive tear, holding Pacific scoreless for over four minutes and extending their lead to double digits by the under-10 media timeout. WSU's efficiency was evident as they shot over 55% from the floor, including 14 of 28 from three-point range, while keeping their turnovers to just seven compared to Pacific's 10.
Looking ahead, the Cougars are set to host their final home game of the season against Saint Mary's on Saturday, February 21, with a 7 p.m. tipoff on ESPN2. The night will also feature recognition for Simon Hildebrandt and Adria Rodriguez.