Cougars Win Sixth Straight Battle of the Palouse

Monday, November 11

Pullman, Wash.

6:30 p.m.

Washington State University

3-0,0-0WCC

Idaho

1-2,0-0Big Sky

Team	1	2	F
Idaho	31	36	67
Washington St.	38	52	90

Photo by: Dean Hare/WSU Photo Services

November 11, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Game Highlights David Riley Postgame ND Okafor/LeJuan Watts Postgame Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes (PDF)

By: WSU Athletic Comm., Hayden Wysup

PULLMAN, Wash. (Hayden Wysup) -- The Washington State men's basketball team defeated Idaho 90-67 Friday night, at Beasley Coliseum.

Big Picture: Washington State moved to 3-0 and won its sixth consecutive Battle of the Palouse in the 279th all-time meeting between the schools.

Player Performances: Nate Calmese led the game in scoring with 18 points, three assists and three steals. LeJuan Watts recorded his second consecutive double-double with 16 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Dane Erikstrup scored 14 points with three triples, and in his first game with the Cougs, ND Okafor finished with 12 points, six rebounds, a block, and a steal off the bench.

Between the Lines: All throughout the game Wazzu controlled the paint. The Cougs won the rebound battle 45-30, outscored the Vandals 46-34 in the paint, and had 10 blocks for the first time since rejecting 10 shots against Portland State, Dec. 2, 2023.

Turning Point: Early in the second half while leading 46-37, LeJuan Watts caught fire. The redshirt-sophomore scored 10-straight Wazzu points and capped it off with an electric putback slam to extend the Cougars lead to 56-41.

Coach Riley's Comments: "I think we learned a lot of good lessons. I don't think we started off the game with the energy or momentum we needed," Riley said. "Hopefully we can learn from that. It's always easier to learn during wins than losses."