SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Hayden Wysup) – The Washington State men's basketball fell to Santa Clara, 93-65, Thursday night at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara, despite an historic triple-double from sophomore LeJuan Watts.
Big Picture Washington State moves to 15-6 and 5-3 in WCC play.
Player Performances: LeJuan Watts led the team in scoring with 20 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists, delivering just the second triple-double in program history. The achievement was the first by a Coug since Kyle Weaver delivered the first triple-double in school history Jan. 13, 2007 at Stanford.
Ethan Price added 16 points and, in his third game of the season and first back from injury, Rihards Vavers scored a season-high 11 points with three triples.
Turning Point: The Cougars and Broncos exchanged blows in the first half with three ties and eight lead changes before Santa Clara closed out the half on a 21-7 run. The Broncos took an 11-point halftime lead they never relinquished.
Inside the Stat Sheet: Despite tallying 19 assists and shooting 54% in the opening half, the Cougars committed 17 turnovers which Santa Clara used to outscore WSU, 9-28 in points off turnovers.
Up Next: The Cougars return to Beasley Coliseum, Saturday at 5 p.m., to host Saint Mary's on CBS Sports Network.
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WASHINGTON STATE POSTGAME NOTES
Big Picture Washington State moves to 15-6 and 5-3 in WCC play.
Player Performances: LeJuan Watts led the team in scoring with 20 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists, delivering just the second triple-double in program history. The achievement was the first by a Coug since Kyle Weaver delivered the first triple-double in school history Jan. 13, 2007 at Stanford.
Ethan Price added 16 points and, in his third game of the season and first back from injury, Rihards Vavers scored a season-high 11 points with three triples.
Turning Point: The Cougars and Broncos exchanged blows in the first half with three ties and eight lead changes before Santa Clara closed out the half on a 21-7 run. The Broncos took an 11-point halftime lead they never relinquished.
Inside the Stat Sheet: Despite tallying 19 assists and shooting 54% in the opening half, the Cougars committed 17 turnovers which Santa Clara used to outscore WSU, 9-28 in points off turnovers.
Up Next: The Cougars return to Beasley Coliseum, Saturday at 5 p.m., to host Saint Mary's on CBS Sports Network.
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WASHINGTON STATE POSTGAME NOTES
- With the result, the Cougars:
- Fall to 15-6 this season and 3-3 in road games
- Fall to 5-3 in WCC play and 2-2 in WCC road games
- Fall to 1-3 when wearing crimson uniforms
- Fall to 6-5 all-time against Santa Clara and 1-3 against the Broncos in Santa Clara
- Fall to 2-4 when trailing at halftime
- Fall to 13-3 when tallying 15+ assists
- Fall to 5-5 when scoring fewer than 80 points
- WSU used the same starting lineup for the 9th-consecutive game (Calmese, Erikstrup, Price, Thrastarson, and L. Watts)
- The Cougars allowed 49 first-half points, tied for the most opponent first-half points allowed this season
- Santa Clara made a WSU opponent season-high 13 3-pointers
- LeJuan Watts recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists
- Watts became just the second player in program history to record a triple-double
- First WSU triple-double was by Kyle Weaver at Stanford, Jan. 13, 2007 (14 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists)
- Watts set a career-high with 10 assists and became the first Coug with 10+ assists since Justin Powell, Nov. 7, 2022
- Watts marked his 18th double-digit scoring game and third 20-point game this season
- Watts led the Cougars in rebounding for the 15th time and delivered 10+ rebounds for the eighth time
- Watts became just the second player in program history to record a triple-double
- Rihards Vavers scored 11 points, all in the first half, delivering a season-high and his first double-digit game as a Coug
- Vavers scored 10+ points for the ninth time in his career and first time since playing as a freshman at Quinnipiac
- Vavers was eligible and played for the first time since Dec. 2 at Nevada (hand injury)
- Ethan Price scored in double figures for the 13th time, finishing with 16 points
- ND Okafor tallied two blocks, his ninth game with multiple rejections
- Dane Erikstrup matched his WCC-high with three assists