The Washington State Cougars put on a show Wednesday night, ending their three-game skid with an emphatic 87-71 victory over the Pacific Tigers. This win was a testament to their explosive offensive capabilities, as they posted a remarkable 1.403 points per possession, their second-best performance of the season, while draining 14 three-pointers. Pacific, known for its solid defense ranked 89th in KenPom’s efficiency ratings, simply couldn’t keep up.
A key storyline was the return of Tomas Thrastarson, who rejoined the lineup after missing 12 games due to injury. His presence added depth to the Cougars’ rotation.
Both teams came out firing on all cylinders. The Tigers shot an impressive 46.9% from the field and hit half of their three-point attempts, grabbing eight offensive boards that led to seven second-chance points. They managed a solid 1.212 points per possession in the first half, but even that couldn’t match the Cougars’ offensive fireworks.
Leading the charge for WSU was Rihards Vavers, who poured in 16 first-half points, including four from beyond the arc. He had plenty of help, as Eemeli Yalaho chipped in 10 points with two threes, Simon Hildebrandt knocked down consecutive threes, and N.D.
Okafor dominated inside with nine points. The Cougars finished the half shooting a blistering 65.5% from the field, making eight of their 13 three-point attempts, and racking up an impressive 1.645 points per possession to take an 11-point lead into the break.
The Tigers came out strong in the second half, closing the gap with an 18-9 run in the first seven minutes to pull within a point. It seemed like the Cougars might be headed for another second-half slump.
However, Jerone Morton responded with back-to-back threes, and Okafor added two more inside buckets, sparking a 10-0 run that restored the lead to 11. Despite the Tigers' efforts to claw back, the Cougars kept their foot on the gas, with threes from Hildebrandt and Ace Glass pushing the lead to a game-high 15 points.
The Tigers couldn’t get closer than 11 points in the final stretch, as the Cougars secured a crucial conference win.
Adria Rodriguez, though not a scoring leader, deserves recognition for his performance. The Spaniard’s development has been notable, especially with his improved offensive play.
He contributed five points and five assists, and his defensive instincts were on display with a key steal. Importantly, he recorded zero turnovers, a significant achievement for his growth.
This victory not only ended the losing streak but also gave WSU the tiebreaker over Pacific in the battle for the coveted four-seed in the WCC. With just three games left, the Cougars are poised to leapfrog San Francisco in the standings. Their next challenge is a home game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels at Beasley Coliseum, marking their final home appearance of the season.