MOLINE, Ill. – The Washington State men's basketball team lost to Iowa, 66-76, Friday night in the John Deere Quad Cities Hoops Showdown at Vibrant Arena in Moline, Ill.  
 
Big Picture: Washington State dropped its first contest of the season, moving to 3-1 overall and 0-1 away from home.
 
Player Performances: Nate Calmese scored a season and game-high 27 points, his first 20-point game since February 2023 when he played at Lamar. LeJuan Watts recorded his third-straight double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. True freshman Kase Wynott made his collegiate debut as a first-half sub. 
 
Between the Lines: The Cougars struggled from deep, finishing 5-of-28 from 3-point range, and had just 12 trips to the free throw line, going 9-of-12. Despite the offensive struggles, the game featured nine ties and 16 lead changes.
 
Turning Point: Wazzu took its final lead of the game with just over three minutes to play, before the Hawkeyes rattled off an 8-0 and closed out the game from the free throw line, finishing 11-of-12 in the final minutes after starting 6-of-15 from the charity stripe. 

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WASHINGTON STATE POSTGAME NOTES

• With the result, the Cougars:
  • Fall to 3-1 this season
  • Fall to 0-2 all-time against Iowa
  • Fall to 3-1 when leading at halftime
  • Scored a season-low 66 points after scoring 90+ points in first three games
• WSU had the same starters for the fourth-straight game (Calmese, Coward, Erikstrup, Price, L. Watts)
• Nate Calmese scored a season-high 27 points, his first 20-point game since eclipsing 20 points against New Orleans while at Lamar, Feb. 25, 2023
  • Calmese has scored in double figures every game as a Coug
  • Calmese tied a season-high with three rebounds and three steals
• LeJuan Watts recorded his third-consecutive double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds
  • Watts matched his career-high with two blocks and a season-high with four assists
• ND Okafor matched a career-high with two steals
• Isaiah Watts matched a career-high with two assists
  • Isaiah matched a season-high with four rebounds
  • Isaiah set a season-high with two steals
• Freshman Kase Wynott made his college debut, scoring two points in six minutes
• Marcus Wilson matched his season-high with one rebound
• Ethan Price matched a season-high with one steal
• Dane Erikstrup recorded his first steal as a Coug