SPOKANE, Wash. – The Washington State men's basketball team (4-8) defeated the Eastern Washington Eagles, 78-63, in a neutral-site game at Numerica Veterans Arena in Spokane, Wednesday night. WSU's Emmanuel Ugbo delivered a career-high 20 points to lead three Cougars in double figures in the 509 Classic, snapping a five-game losing streak.
 
The Cougars came out hot, beginning the game on an 11-2 run and never relinquishing the lead. Ugbo scored 14 first-half points, alongside 12 points from ND Okafor, and 10 points in the opening half from Ace Glass. WSU dished out a season-high 18 assists and matched its season-high with 10 steals.
 
Washington State's bench outscored Eastern Washington's, 37-22, and pushed the lead to as large as 18 points in the first half before EWU rallied in the second-half, pulling within 10 points with three minutes remaining. However, the Cougars held on to the double-digit lead and finished the game on a 6-0, holding the Eagles scoreless for the final two minutes and 40 seconds.
 
As a team, the Cougars shot 52% from the floor and held Eastern Washington to 63 points, the fewest by a WSU opponent this season. Wazzu made nine 3-pointers and held EWU to 38% shooting from the floor.
 
The Cougars conclude nonconference play Saturday, December 20, at Beasley Coliseum hosting Mercer at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.