IDAHO VANDALS (1-1) at WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (2-0)
Monday, Nov. 11, 2024
6:32 p.m. PT (9:32 p.m. ET)
Pullman, Wash.
Beasley Coliseum

Cougar Radio Network
KXLY 920AM // KHTR 104.3FM
KTTH 770AM // KONA 610AM
Play by Play: Chris King
Analyst: Craig Ehlo

Television & Streaming
ESPN+
Play by Play: Trevor Williams
Analyst: Alyssa Charlston
Producer: Jason Armenio

Opening Tips
1. One of the most-contested series in college basketball history, the Cougars and Vandals will meet for the 279th all-time meeting between WSU and Idaho in the Border Battle. The series dates back to 1906 when Washington State Agriculture College defeated Idaho Agriculture College, 28-11, Jan. 13, 1906. The Cougars have won the last five meetings with Idaho, dating back to December 5, 2018, and have won six of the last seven meetings.

2. Five current WSU players were named the Freshman of the Year for their respective conference prior to arriving at WSU, including Nate Calmese (Southland), Cedric Coward (NWC/D-III), Dane Erikstrup (CCAA/D-II), Ethan Price (Big Sky), and LeJuan Watts (Big Sky).

3. Six Cougars have scored in double figures in both games, including all five starters and first-man-off-the-bench Isaiah Watts.

4. WSU finished 27-of-33 from the free throw line against Bradley, Nov. 8, the most made free throws since making 28 against Winthrop, Nov. 22, 2021 in Pullman, Wash.

5. LeJuan Watts recorded his second career double-double and first as a Coug in the win over Bradley, finishing with 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.

LAST TIME OUT
Washington State defeated Bradley, 91-74, Friday night in Beasley Coliseum. The Cougs moved to 2-0 with both wins at home to start the season. Cedric Coward and Nate Calmese each had a game-high of 18 points, with Calmese also dishing out a career-high six assists. Dane Erikstrup recorded 16 points with seven rebounds and fellow big man Ethan Price recorded 14 points with six rebounds. LeJuan Watts added 12 points and 11 rebounds for his second-career double-double.

NONCONFERENCE CROWD
Friday night's crowd of 3,982 marked the highest-attended nonconference game at Beasley Coliseum since 8,209 attended a Dec. 2, 2015 clash against Gonzaga on Friel Court.

UP NEXT
Washington State will make its first road trip of the season, Nov. 15, traveling to Moline, Illinois to face the Big Ten's Iowa Hawkeyes in the John Deere Quad Cities Hoops Showdown at Vibrant Arena. The Cougars and Hawkeyes have met just one previously, a neutral site loss for WSU at the 1963 Far West Classic in Portland, Oregon. Last season, the Hawkeyes finished just outside the bubble with a NET of 62 and a trip to the secound round of the National Invitation Tournament.

HOME OPENERS
The Cougars improved to 102-22 all-time in season openers with Monday's win over Portland State. Wazzu improved to 63-8 when opening the season at home and has won every season opener when opening at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars have won 29 consecutive season openers at home and have won 35-consecutive Beasley Coliseum openers (not necessarily the first game of the season).

THE CENTURY MARK
When the Cougs defeated Portland State, 100-92, the Cougars eclipsed 100 points for the first time since beating Oregon State, 103-97 in overtime, Feb. 28, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. It marked the first triple-digit performance at Beasley Coliseum since beating CSUN, 103-94, Nov. 27, 2018. WSU scored 100 points in regulation for the first time since beating Idaho 109-61, Nov. 18, 2021 in Moscow, Idaho.

COWARDS EARNS PRESEASON ALL-WCC
WSU senior transfer Cedric Coward was named to the Preseason All-WCC Team. The EWU transfer started strong with a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double in the Cougs' season opener and has led the Cougars in scoring in both games to start the year.

COUGS PICKED FIFTH IN THE WCC
Entering the 2024-25 season as an affiliate member of the WCC, Wazzu was selected fifth in the preseason coaches poll. The last time a David Riley team was selected fifth in the preseason conference poll, at EWU in 2022-23, his team rattled off an 18-game unbeaten streak on the way to a Big Sky Conference regular season championship.

ISAIAH WATTS RETURNS WITH A BANG
Isaiah Watts, the only returning letterwinner from the 2023-24 roster, scored a career high 20 points in the season-opening win over Portland State, finishing a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line and 4-Siof-5 from 3-point range in a career high 28 minutes.

FAST AND FURIOUS
The season-opener against the PSU Vikings was an offensive shootout, as the Cougs allowed 90+ points for the first time since the 2020-21 season, when Kyle Smith's Cougs gave up 91 points to UCLA in Los Angeles, Jan. 14, 2021.