The WSU Cougars welcomed the Arizona Wildcats to Beasley Coliseum in a nationally televised event on FSN. This is the first game of a three-game homestand for the Cougars. The game was very slow what with it being on television and the teams having a combined 39 fouls. The Cougars opened the game on a 7-0 run that forced the Wildcats to take a 30-second timeout to slow WSU's momentum. Following the timeout, the Wildcats returned the favor and tied the game up at 11-11 with 13:17 left to play in the first half. For the remainder of the half the Cougars and Arizona traded buckets back and forth as neither team was able to pull away from the other. Entering the locker room at halftime, the Wildcats maintained a one-point lead, 40-39. The second half brought more back-and-forth battling as the score was tied on 11 occasions throughout the game and the lead changed 11 times. The Cougars tried to control the speed of the game, slowing the ball down when they had possession, while Arizona was looking to fast break any chance it got. As time winded down, no team could escape the other's grasp. With 1:04 left to play, the game was tied at 69-all. Arizona jumped out to a three-point lead off a layup and made free throw by Jesse Perry and WSU took possession of the ball with 38 seconds left, facing a three-point deficit. With 21 seconds left, Brock Motum forced up a 3-pointer as he leaned into his defender to draw the foul. Much to the Arizona bench's dismay, a foul was called and Motum was sent to the line for three shots and a chance to tie the game. Motum stepped up to the line for his first shot, the crowd went silent, and Motum released the ball. This time, much to the Cougars' dismay, the shot bounced off the rim. Motum repeated his free throw ritual once more, trying to bring WSU to within one, but the second free throw also rimmed out. Coach Bone decided to take a timeout before Motum's final shot to regroup and get the team on the same page following the free throw. Following the timeout, Motum stepped up for one final free throw and sunk it to the bottom of the net. After the free throws, the Cougars were forced to foul to stay in the game. The Wildcats made 4-of-4 free throws in the last 19 seconds. Despite a layup by Reggie Moore that brought the game to within two again, the Wildcats were able to hold on, making a second pair of free throws to give themselves a four-point lead and 76-72 victory.
Player of the Game:
Reggie Moore. Reggie Moore earns tonight's Player of the Game award. Despite Brock Motum's 28-point performance, Moore was crucial in keeping this game as close as it was. With senior Faisal Aden out for the season, Moore has stepped into a more prominent scoring role on the team. He made a season-high eight field goals and scored a season-high 21 points while going 4-of-4 from the free throw line. In addition, Moore dished out four assists and pulled in two rebounds.
Play of the Game:
Motum lob to Shelton for the jam. Tonight's Play of the Game couldn't have come at a more crucial time. With 3:25 left to play in the game and the Cougars trailing by only two points, Brock Motum lobbed a pass in to D.J. Shelton in the key. Shelton caught the ball in stride and rose up to slam it home with one hand. The play brought the Beasley crowd to a roar and tied the game at 67-67.
Turning Point:
The final buzzer. As previously stated, this game had 11 ties, the last coming with only 1:04 remaining. Down the stretch, this was either team's game. Even with on 10 seconds remaining, WSU trailed by only two points as the Wildcats stepped up to the free throw line to extend the lead to four. Following the free throws, Reggie Moore raced up the court with the ball and shot a contested 3-pointer. The shot did not fall and there was a last-second scramble for the loose ball as the final buzzer sounded.
Stat of the Game:
Bench points. The Cougars were severely outscored off the bench. The Wildcats' bench was able to score 25 points in the game, while WSU's only managed eight points. Redshirt-junior Mike Ladd and redshirt sophomore D.J. Shelton, who usually score the majority of the bench points for the Cougs now that Faisal Aden is out, scored a combined seven points. Redshirt-freshman Dexter Kernich-Drew also added a point for WSU. In a game decided by only four points, the 17-point difference by the benches proved to by a difference-maker.
The Cougars are now 5-9 in Pac-12 play and 13-13 overall. WSU returns to action Saturday at 5 p.m. against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Beasley Coliseum. The game will be televised regionally on ROOT Sports NW and fans are encouraged to wear gray as the Cougs attempt to 'gray out' Beasley Coliseum. The first 3,700 fans will receive a free gray t-shirt. In addition, it is 'Greek Night' and member of the WSU Greek community are encouraged to attend the game. The fraternity and sorority with the most members at the game Saturday will each receive reserved seating for the Cougars' final home game next Saturday, Feb. 25 as WSU hosts Washington at 5 p.m.
Waving the flag for Wazzu,
Jim Crawford
Ken Bone Post Game Press Conference
Student-Athlete Post Game Press Conference
Game Highlights
Player of the Game:
Reggie Moore. Reggie Moore earns tonight's Player of the Game award. Despite Brock Motum's 28-point performance, Moore was crucial in keeping this game as close as it was. With senior Faisal Aden out for the season, Moore has stepped into a more prominent scoring role on the team. He made a season-high eight field goals and scored a season-high 21 points while going 4-of-4 from the free throw line. In addition, Moore dished out four assists and pulled in two rebounds.
Play of the Game:
Motum lob to Shelton for the jam. Tonight's Play of the Game couldn't have come at a more crucial time. With 3:25 left to play in the game and the Cougars trailing by only two points, Brock Motum lobbed a pass in to D.J. Shelton in the key. Shelton caught the ball in stride and rose up to slam it home with one hand. The play brought the Beasley crowd to a roar and tied the game at 67-67.
Turning Point:
The final buzzer. As previously stated, this game had 11 ties, the last coming with only 1:04 remaining. Down the stretch, this was either team's game. Even with on 10 seconds remaining, WSU trailed by only two points as the Wildcats stepped up to the free throw line to extend the lead to four. Following the free throws, Reggie Moore raced up the court with the ball and shot a contested 3-pointer. The shot did not fall and there was a last-second scramble for the loose ball as the final buzzer sounded.
Stat of the Game:
Bench points. The Cougars were severely outscored off the bench. The Wildcats' bench was able to score 25 points in the game, while WSU's only managed eight points. Redshirt-junior Mike Ladd and redshirt sophomore D.J. Shelton, who usually score the majority of the bench points for the Cougs now that Faisal Aden is out, scored a combined seven points. Redshirt-freshman Dexter Kernich-Drew also added a point for WSU. In a game decided by only four points, the 17-point difference by the benches proved to by a difference-maker.
The Cougars are now 5-9 in Pac-12 play and 13-13 overall. WSU returns to action Saturday at 5 p.m. against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Beasley Coliseum. The game will be televised regionally on ROOT Sports NW and fans are encouraged to wear gray as the Cougs attempt to 'gray out' Beasley Coliseum. The first 3,700 fans will receive a free gray t-shirt. In addition, it is 'Greek Night' and member of the WSU Greek community are encouraged to attend the game. The fraternity and sorority with the most members at the game Saturday will each receive reserved seating for the Cougars' final home game next Saturday, Feb. 25 as WSU hosts Washington at 5 p.m.
Waving the flag for Wazzu,
Jim Crawford
Ken Bone Post Game Press Conference
Student-Athlete Post Game Press Conference
Game Highlights
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