SEATTLE, Wash. – Washington State Men’s Basketball team traveled across the state for an 84-80 exhibition win against their longtime rival. WSU will not play UW this regular season, the first time the schools will not play each other in over 100 years. The Cougs win was led by transfer Ronnie Harrison who finished the game with 23 points, shooting a stellar 8-for-9 from the field. WSU added four more double-digit scoring efforts, Houston (15), Phillips (12), Harrell (11), C. Jones (10).
The Cougs came out slow at the start, falling behind a 10-point deficit in the first half. WSU clawed back from the deficit by getting to the free throw line 17 times, converting 13 of them to go into the half with a 38-37 lead. WSU shot the ball well in the first half by shooting 7-of-17 from three-point range.
Ronnie Harrison, Senior, made a strong impression on Coug nation with 11 minutes left in the second half. He changed the game for the Cougs by going on an individual 10-0 run (all 10 points scored by Harrison) to flip the score from 46-52 to 56-52. WSU never trailed after the run. Harrison also led the team with 11 rebounds. Harrison has transferred into the Palouse from East Texas A&M where he averaged a team high 14.7 points and 6.1 rebounds for them last season.
WSU shot 46 total free throws in the exhibition, 12 more than any game last season. Sophomore transfer guard Lazerek Houston from Central Missouri led all Cougs in free throw makes and attempts (12-14). Houston also led the team in both assists and minutes played. WSU’s strong second half push came behind the team shooting 45% from the field and outrebounding the Huskies by six.
After the exhibition win against UW, the Cougs look forward to their season opener next Monday, November 2 in Beasley Coliseum against Davidson. Coach David Riley will open up his third season as head coach of the Cougs. Monday’s 6 pm tip off will be the first of 16 non-conference games, highlighted by matchups against Duke and LSU.