Cougars Hang Tough Early, But Gonzaga’s Size and Transition Game Prove Too Much in Pullman
PULLMAN - For the first 14 minutes, Washington State looked like a team ready to go toe-to-toe with a top-10 powerhouse. The Cougars weren’t just hanging around with No.
9 Gonzaga - they were pushing the tempo, hitting shots, and feeding off a raucous Beasley Coliseum crowd that was fully locked in. When Ace Glass drilled a three to give WSU a five-point lead with just over six minutes left in the first half, the building erupted.
It felt, for a moment, like 2023 all over again.
But then Gonzaga reminded everyone why they’re a national contender.
The Bulldogs flipped the switch, closed the half on a 20-5 run, and never looked back. By the final buzzer, Gonzaga had pulled away for an 86-65 win, dropping WSU to 8-11 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
The Cougars didn’t fold, and there were bright spots - especially from some of their younger players - but the game ultimately turned into a clinic on what separates good teams from elite ones. And it started with the paint.
Dominated Down Low
The stat that jumps off the page? A staggering 52-12 Gonzaga advantage in points in the paint.
That’s not just a mismatch - it’s a landslide. WSU simply couldn’t match the Bulldogs’ size and physicality inside.
While the Cougars managed to hit 13 threes, they were just 8-of-24 from two-point range. That 33% clip is the lowest for a WSU team since 2023 - the same year David Riley’s Eastern Washington squad came into Pullman and upset the Cougars.
And it wasn’t just about missed layups or tough finishes. Gonzaga controlled the interior on both ends, altering shots, clogging driving lanes, and making WSU work for every inch.
Rebounding Reality Check
Coming into the game, WSU was one of the better defensive rebounding teams in the country. That reputation took a hit.
Gonzaga pulled down 17 offensive boards and turned them into 19 second-chance points. That’s the kind of stat that breaks a game open - and it did.
For a team that prides itself on limiting extra possessions, it was a tough pill to swallow.
Turnovers and Transition Trouble
WSU didn’t do itself any favors with the ball, either. The Cougars turned it over 17 times, and Gonzaga made them pay - 27 points off turnovers, 16 of those coming in transition. That’s classic Zags basketball: force a mistake, sprint the floor, and finish before the defense can set up.
Head coach David Riley acknowledged the breakdowns postgame.
“We weren’t able to play with the kind of force that we needed to go win that game,” Riley said. “It didn’t seem like our team that’s been playing for the last month. It seemed like we kind of regressed.”
He pointed to moments in the first half where WSU got away from its identity - over-penetrating, forcing plays instead of making the simple pass. The Cougars had the right mindset, Riley said, but not the execution or intensity needed to keep pace with a team like Gonzaga.
Standout Performances
There were still some individual performances worth highlighting. Freshman Simon Hildebrandt had the best game of his young career, pouring in 16 points on four made threes - including a four-point play that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Glass also finished with 16 points, though he needed 13 shots to get there. Jerone Morton matched their scoring output with 16 of his own, and Adria Rodriguez chipped in five points, eight rebounds, and four steals - a gritty, all-around effort.
Turning Point
The game flipped quickly after Glass’ three gave WSU a 33-28 lead. Gonzaga answered immediately with a transition three, and the Cougars never recovered.
That shot sparked a 20-5 run to close the half, giving the Zags a 10-point cushion at the break. From there, it was all Bulldogs.
The Bigger Picture
Yes, Gonzaga was missing star forward Braden Huff. But even without him, this is still one of the most complete teams in the country. For WSU, this wasn’t the kind of game that defines a season - it’s the kind that shows where the bar is set.
Better teams than the Cougars have been blown out by Gonzaga. And while the loss stings, the more meaningful tests for WSU come in the weeks ahead.
KenPom Watch
WSU dipped slightly in the KenPom rankings, sliding from No. 147 to No. 149.
What’s Next
The Cougars head to San Francisco for a pivotal matchup on Sunday (4 p.m. PT, ESPN+).
The Dons are 12-8 overall and 4-3 in conference play, but they’ve looked vulnerable lately. They’ll also be coming off two extra days of rest, having last played on Tuesday.
Worth noting: the last time a team outside of Gonzaga or Saint Mary’s beat San Francisco in a WCC home game? That was back in 2023.
Injury Update
WSU was already short-handed, missing Tomas Thrastarson and Kase Wynott. Add Rihards Vavers to the list - he was out with a concussion.
Final Takeaway
This one got away from WSU, but it doesn’t erase the progress they’ve made in recent weeks. The Cougars showed fight, especially early, and got valuable experience for some of their younger pieces. Now, it’s about regrouping, flushing the result, and getting back to who they’ve been - a team that’s tougher than their record and still has something to prove.