What's Happening?
Washington State University faced a tough loss against St. Mary's with a final score of 83-67 during their Senior Night. Despite a promising start, the Cougars were unable to maintain their momentum in the second half. ND Okafor and Ace Glass led the team with 15 points each, while Rihards Vavers contributed 12 points and six rebounds. St. Mary's Joshua Dent was instrumental in the first half, scoring 17 points and helping the Gaels secure a narrow lead. The Gaels dominated the second half, outscoring the Cougars 43-28, and securing a significant rebounding advantage.
Why It's Important?
This loss is a setback for Washington State, dropping their season record to 12-17 and 7-9 in conference play. The game highlights the challenges the team faces in closing out games
against strong opponents. For St. Mary's, the victory reinforces their position as a formidable team in the West Coast Conference. The outcome of this game could influence the Cougars' strategy and morale as they prepare for their remaining regular-season games and potential postseason play.
What's Next?
Washington State will look to rebound in their upcoming games against Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine. These matches will be crucial for the Cougars as they aim to improve their standing and build momentum heading into the conference tournament. The team will need to address their second-half performance issues and find ways to capitalize on scoring opportunities to secure victories in these critical matchups.
