UW men trounce Cougars in 300th game between rivals
In a highly anticipated rivalry game, the Washington State Cougars fell to the University of Washington 89-73, marking their 300th meeting. The Cougars struggled with a disjointed offense, committing 22 turnovers and shooting poorly, particularly from three-point range at just 30%. Coach David Riley expressed frustration with the officiating and noted that foul troubles sidelined key players like LeJuan Watts and Dane Erikstrup early in the second half. Nate Calmese was the standout for WSU, scoring 21 points, but the team could not maintain momentum. Washington's defense proved effective, converting WSU's errors into 24 points, while the Cougars managed only five bench points.
This defeat underscores ongoing issues with turnovers and defensive lapses that WSU must address as they move forward. As they regroup, Riley will focus on improving defensive strategies to avoid fouls in future games. This rivalry loss serves as a wake-up call for the Cougars, who are eager to regain their footing in a competitive conference.