Nov. 19, 2005

Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - Washington State sophomore Josh Akognon scored a career-high 22 points in his first collegiate start Saturday to lead the Cougars past UC Riverside 86-55 in both teams' season opener.

The Highlanders, who led 3-0 at the start, missed 21 of 23 shots from the field and finished the first half shooting 6-for-38, 0-for-16 from 3-point range.

Akognon, who also had a career-high eight rebounds, erased WSU's early deficit with eight unanswered points, including two of his four 3-pointers, giving the Cougars a lead that they held till the buzzer.

WSU led UC Riverside by as many as 34 points. The Highlanders finished shooting just 25 percent (19-for-76) from the field, including a 6-for-33 effort from behind the arch.

Houston Power led UC Riverside with 11 points, while Larry and Sean Cunningham each finished with 10.

Aron Baynes shoots with UC Riverside's Chris Johnson defending from behind during the first half at Beasley Coliseum.

Four Cougars reached double figures in the team's highest scoring output since coach Dick Bennett arrived here in 2003. Freshman Aron Baynes scored 19 points, while Derrick Low finished with 15 points and 11 assists for his first career double-double. Sophomore Kyle Weaver added 10 points for the Cougars.

It was Washington State's 18th straight win in a home opener, and its fourth consecutive season-opening win overall.