MORAGA, Calif. (Hayden Wysup) – Washington State lost to Saint Mary's, 56-77, Saturday night at University Union Credit Pavilion on the SMC campus.
Big Picture: The Cougars fall to 16-11 and 6-8 in conference play.
Player Performances: LeJuan Watts led the team in scoring with 17 points and four assists.
Isaiah Watts added 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Ethan Price had 11 points and five rebounds.
Turning Point: Coming out of halftime, the Gaels used a 19-4 run to extend a 4-point halftime lead into a 20-point lead.
Tale of Two Halves: In the first half, the Cougars shot 52% from the field and held Saint Mary's to 40% shooting from the field. However, in the second half Saint Mary's tightened up on both sides, shooting 53% from the field and holding Wazzu to 30% from the field.
Inside the Box Score: While the Cougs matched Saint Mary's assists total with 16, the Cougars also turned the ball over 16 times to the Gaels six turnovers.
Up Next: The Cougars return to Pullman to host the Gonzaga Bulldogs in front of an anticipated sellout crowd at Beasley Coliseum, Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
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WASHINGTON STATE POSTGAME NOTES
- With the result, the Cougars:
- Fall to 16-11 this season and 3-7 in road games
- Fall to 6-8 in WCC play and 2-6 in conference road games
- Fall to 1-3 all-time against Saint Mary's and 0-2 against the Gaels in Moraga
- Fall to 4-4 when wearing anthracite uniforms
- Fall to 3-7 when trailing at halftime
- Fall to 2-6 when held under 70 points
- Fall to 12-5 when holding their opponent under 80 points
- Fall to 12-4 when holding their opponent under 45% shooting
- Fall to 13-5 when tallying 15+ assists
- WSU matched a season low with two steals and forced a season low six turnovers
- LeJuan Watts scored 17 points for his 21st double-digit game this season, 35th of his career
- Watts has led WSU in scoring 17 times
- Watts matched a career-high with eight made field goals on a career-high 16 field goal attempts
- Ethan Price added 11 points for his 18th double-figure game at WSU and 76th career game in double digits
- Isaiah Watts recorded his 10th double-digit game this season, scoring 12 points
- Watts led WSU in rebounding for the third time this season with six rebounds
- Watts matched his career high with two blocked shots
- ND Okafor recorded one blocked shot, his 19th game with at least one rejection
- Okafor recorded his third steal of the season and first in WCC play
- Nate Calmese made his 100th career 3-pointer in the second half
- Rihards Vavers registered his third assist this season
- For the third time this season, WSU was held under 10 free throw attempts, finishing 6-of-9 at the stripe
- WSU used the starting lineup for the fifth-straight game and 11th time this season
