If Saturday night’s 84-78 win over Mercer is any indication, Washington State may have just unlocked a new gear - and it starts with Rihards Vavers dialing it in from deep.
The Latvian sharpshooter - nicknamed the "Latvian Laser" for good reason - poured in 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three, including a blistering stretch where he buried three triples in a three-minute span. That run gave the Cougars a 14-point cushion and, more importantly, gave a glimpse of what this offense can become when Vavers is feeling it.
Now, let’s put this in context. Vavers began the season ice cold, hitting just 3-of-18 from beyond the arc.
But over his last eight games, he’s flipped the switch, shooting a scorching 42.2% from deep. That’s not just a hot streak - that’s a sign of a shooter finding rhythm and confidence.
And for a player who’s battled injuries the last two seasons, that’s a big deal.
What makes Vavers even more intriguing is that he’s not just a one-dimensional sniper. He’s rounding out his game - better on-ball defense, more presence on the glass, and a willingness to score inside the arc. That’s the kind of development that turns a role player into a real weapon for David Riley’s squad.
“I loved it when he got hot like that,” Riley said after the game. “He got knocked on his butt in one of those scrums on defense.
Popped up, felt like he was good. After that he started banging shots and talking louder.
When he’s ready for the fight and he’s got that warrior mentality, he’s a hell of a player. Getting him more comfortable is huge.”
That moment - Vavers getting knocked down, bouncing up, and then going on a tear - felt like a microcosm of where this Wazzu team is right now. They started the season 3-8, including a loss to Idaho and a narrow escape against Chaminade.
But lately? They’re playing with more energy, more cohesion, and more belief.
This win marks the first time all season that Washington State has won back-to-back games against Division I opponents. It’s not a season-defining stretch - not yet - but it’s a signal that things may be starting to click.
Turning Point:
The game was neck-and-neck early in the second half, but at the 15:07 mark, Vavers sparked a game-changing run.
WSU ripped off a 16-5 burst, with Vavers hitting three triples during that span. Mercer made a late push, but never got closer than five.
Cougars Who Stood Out:
Ace Glass continues to be the engine for this team.
He led the Cougars with 24 points, added five rebounds, and chipped in a couple of steals. Eemeli Yalaho was just shy of a double-double with 14 points, nine boards, and three assists.
ND Okafor and Tomas Thrastarson both added 10 points, and Vavers rounded out the scoring punch with his 12. Thrastarson also pulled down eight rebounds, showing his value on both ends.
Stat to Watch:
WSU gave up 15 offensive boards - not ideal - but they made Mercer work for everything.
The Bears shot just 42.7% from the field, and many of those makes were tough, contested looks. That’s the kind of defensive effort that doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it matters.
The Bigger Picture:
This isn’t a win over a top-25 team, but it’s a solid one.
Mercer isn’t a pushover - they gave Clemson a real fight last week and could be in the mix for the SoCon’s automatic bid. For a Wazzu team trying to climb out of an early-season hole, these are the kinds of wins that matter.
By the Numbers:
The Cougars moved up four spots in the KenPom rankings, jumping from No. 156 to No.
- Glass earned KenPom MVP honors for his all-around performance.
What’s Next:
Washington State gets a full week to reset before diving into WCC play.
They’ll open conference action on the road at Portland next Sunday. The Pilots are 7-5 but haven’t faced a particularly tough non-conference slate.
It’s a chance for WSU to keep the momentum rolling - and if Vavers keeps shooting like this, the Cougars could be a very different team heading into the new year.