PULLMAN, WASH. – Washington State Men’s basketball saw a flurry of points in their first win of the season over Northwest. Their 123-87 victory saw the most points scored by a WSU team since January 14, 1991 in a 131-89 win over Prairie View A&M.
Six different Cougs scored in double figures (Akins, Dembele, Harrell, Houston, Kropp, RJ Jones), with junior guard Sebastian Akins leading the way and matching a career-high 27 points, going 8-of-12 from the field and perfect from the free throw line (8-8). It was Akin’s fifth 20+ point game of his career. Tyler Kropp recorded a career-high 12 points, all in the first half and his second straight game in double figures for the first time in his career.
The Cougs would dominate the paint with 68 points to Northwest’s 20, as WSU would also see 50 points from their bench. Out of WSU’s 55 rebounds, 10 of them were offensive to bring their total to 51 offensive boards through four games. WSU’s 69 points were the most in a half since last season at San Diego (60 points), and their most in a first half since 54 points when they hosted Southern Utah (Nov. 19, 2025).
WSU STARTERS:
G | Jaylen Harrell
G | Lazerek Houston
G | Sebastian Akins
F | Fraser Roxbrough
F | Ladji Dembele
GAME SUMMARY:
The Cougs would start fast as they did in their game at Duquesne, using a 12-2 run and making five of their first seven field goals to force a Northwest timeout. Ladji Dembele would be strong in the post in the early minutes of the half, grabbing a pair of offensive rebound and scoring five of WSU’s first 13 points.
Northwest would run into foul trouble early with six personal fouls in the first five minutes of play. Going into the third media break, WSU would share the ball well and make eight straight field goals. An 11-0 run would give the Cougs a 32-12 lead through eight minutes of play. Sebastian Akins would take control of the offense, recording a quick 10 points and made a pair of threes with two assists.
Northwest would continue their full-court pressure, but the Cougs were able to take advangtage of it and hit the half century mark with six minutes remaining. Brayden Kyman would check in for his first collegiate minutes. Kyman would record a block on his first defensive possession and then make a three on the other end. Kyman would continue his defense play with another block and a lay in possessions later.
The paint would be WSU’s friend in the first half, outscoring the Eagles 36-10 down low. The Cougs would take a 69-42 lead at halftime, with Akins leading the way with 19 points and Tyler Kropp recording a career-high 12 points. The Cougs would shoot 69% from the field (24-for-35) and see 31 points from their bench.
To start the second half, Northwest would outscore the Cougs 14-7 with a pair of threes after the first media break. After a timeout, WSU would respond and use their bench to push their lead back to 25. WSU’s high pace offense would continue to surge, passing the century mark with a 100-71 lead with eight minutes to go in the contest.
Fast break points were the mantra for the end of the contest, recording 35 of them. Getting to the free throw line was huge for the Cougs, going 25-31 (80.6%). Sebastian Akins would push his point total to 27 points to tie career-high, as five other Cougs would join him in the double figure scoring. RJ Jones would round out the scoring with a slam in the closing minute of the contest and give WSU their first win of the season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- WSU’s 69 first half points surpassed last season’s high in a half. The Cougs recorded 60 points in the second half in their game at San Diego (Jan. 21). It was the most points in the first half since 54 points against Southern Utah in Beasley last season (Nov. 19, 2025).
- Washington State shot 68.2 % (45-66) from the field, their first time shooting more than 60% since shooting 62.7 % (32-51) vs Missouri State at Pullman on December 12, 2024 12/14/24
- Fraser Roxburgh got his first start of the season, recording eight points and a season-high seven rebounds
- Jaylen Harrell recorded 13 points, his fourth straight game with 10+ points and the only Coug with 10+ points in each contest this season.
- RJ Jones recorded his fourth career game with 10+ points and his second this season.
- Sebastian Akins recorded his fifth career game with 5+ assists.
UP NEXT:
The Cougars will travel up to Everett on Wednesday, November 18 and face Hawai’I at the Angel of the Winds Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.