PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State men's basketball team (7-9, 2-1) defeated the visiting Loyola Marymount Lions (LMU), 78-76, in the first West Coast Conference home game, Friday night, at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars overcame a 14-point first-half deficit and rallied in the final minute after trailing in the final 30 seconds of the game.
 
Four Cougars scored in double figures, led by junior Rihards Vavers scoring 17 points with a career-high five made 3-point field goals. True freshman Ace Glass finished with 16 points, including the game-winning floater, banked off the glass for the lead with 10 seconds remaining. Glass earned the foul and converted at the free throw line to give WSU a 2-point lead it defended to the final buzzer.
 
Early in the contest, LMU built a 14-point lead, starting the game on a 15-2 run, until Vavers checked into the contest and buried his first triple. The Cougars went on an 11-0 scoring run, pulling within four points midway through the first half. WSU closed the half on another 11-0 run and Vavers made four first-half 3-pointers, leading all scorers with 12 points.
 
Entering the second half, the Cougars expanded their lead to 10 points with 13 minutes remaining. WSU's hot shooting continued, finishing with 10 made 3-pointers and 51% field goal shooting. ND Okafor found room in the key as the Lions tried to defend the 3-point line, delivering 14 points, including 10 second half points and team-high nine rebounds. Okafor recorded four blocked shots, his 11th-consecutive game with a rejection.
 
WSU's Jerone Morton proved a steady presence for the Cougs, scoring a season-high 15 points, including 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Morton also matched his career-high with three 3-pointers.
 
Washington State will travel north to host Oregon State, Sunday, January 4, at Numerica Veterans Arena in Spokane, Washington. The Cougars host the Beavers at Veterans Arena for a fourth time in the programs' history. Last season, WSU defeated LMU at Spokane Arena, Dec. 30.