WSU GETS HOT FROM THREE, BUT FALL AS HIGH POINT DEFENDS HOME COURT
HIGH POINT, N.C. – Sophomore Lazerek Houston started quick and hot for the Cougs with 18 points in the first half in front of a sold out crowd in the Qubein Center, but the consistent Panthers would outlast WSU to record the 83-71 victory. The first road game of the season for the Cougs would see 19 lead changes and seven ties, but High Point would shoot 68% from the field in the second half to slowly pull away from the Cougs.
Houston recorded 31 points, going 9-of-13 and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Redshirt-freshman Jaylen Harrell recorded his second-consecutive game with doubles figures, adding 18 points and going 8-of-12 from the field. RJ Jones would finish two shy of a career-high, going 4-of-7 from deep and recording 12 points.
Washington State would rely on three-ball, going 12-for-26 from beyond arc, going 6-for-13 in each half. High Point was able to dominate the free throw line (21-for-29) and would force 16 Coug turnovers. The Panthers bench would also give them a boost, outscoring WSU 38 to 16, with 12 of the bench points for the Cougars coming from RJ Jones
WSU falls to 0-2 for the first time since the 2014-15 season and for just the third time since 1970 (also: 1972-73). The Cougs move to 1-1 all-time against High Point and 3-4 in road openers since the 2020-21 season.
WSU STARTERS:
G | Jaylen Harrell
G | Lazerek Houston
G | Sebastian Akins
F | Tyler Kropp
F | Ladji Dembele
GAME SUMMARY:
The Cougs would start fast, jumping out to a 7-0 lead, their first lead of the season. Lazerek Houston would showcase his athleticism with a tough and-one early in the first, and score a quick five points. A five-minute scoring lull by WSU early after the 7-0 run would let High Point settle in and tie the game seven a piece. With nine minutes to go, a block by freshman Dominik Robinson and a three on the opposite end by RJ Jones would give WSU the 16-12 lead.
Sebastian Akins would showcase his defense, recording three of the five Cougar steaks in the first half. In the closing minutes of the half, High Point would use a few dunks and take advantage of some close misses from the Cougs, to take a 28-26 lead with just under two minutes left. It would be Lazerek Houston again, leading the way, making his fourth triple of the half, taking a 29-28 lead. A Panthers and-one would take the slight 32-31 lead with WSU getting their last possession of the half. A WSU turnover would give the Panthers one last chance to increase their lead, but a missed free throw and missed jumper by the Cougs would have High Point take the 32-31 lead at half.
The Cougs would make six threes in the first half, surpassing their five total threes they made in their season opener against Davidson. Houston would lead the way with 18 points, going 5-for-8 from the field with four threes. Freshman Mohamed Sankhe would grab a team-high five rebounds off the bench, and Harrell would cash in 10 points to join Houston as the only double-digit scorers in the half. There would be 15 lead changes with the Cougs down by one after 20 minutes.
To start the second half, a couple of triples from Ladji Dembele and Jaylen Harrell would continue their hot streak from three. The Panthers would continue to respond, getting to rim as the back and forth affair would continue. A couple offensive fouls would cool Wazzu after the two quick threes, as High Point would continue their disperse scoring and lead with 14 minutes to play.
Again, the Cougs would respond with a pair of threes from RJ Jones and Houston to take a one-point lead. Panthers would however answer with a three of their own and retake the one-point lead. After a third three-pointer from Jones, he would get called for technical foul. The Panthers would make a free throw to take the 51-50 lead with 12 minutes to go in the game.
Despite the Cougars 11 threes, High Point could continue their consistency offense, going 9-for-11 from the field and take a 56-50 lead to force a WSU timeout. A three from High Point would give them a seven-point lead with 10 minutes left, their largest lead of the game. An exchange of buckets from both squads would occur, with a pair of dunks by the Panthers would get the crowd back into the game, leading by five with eight minutes to go.
Jones would tie career-high fourth made triple to keep the Cougs within single-digits with under seven to go. WSU would get to the bonus with just over six minutes to go but would not be able to take advantage of it. High Point would turn up their offense, making five of their next six field goals, adding a pair of free throws to extend their lead to double-digits. Jones would foul out under five minutes ago, putting the Panthers in the bonus for the rest of the contest. Jones would exit with 12 points, two shy of a career high.
A 12-0 run by the Panthers and a four-minute scoring lull by the Cougs would extend High Point’s 16-point lead. The free throw line would be High Point’s friend, going 17-for-21 in the second half and would go an efficient 15-for-22 from the field. Houston would record a pair of free throws in the closing minute to record a game-high 31 points.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Lazerek Houston would record his eighth career game with 30+ points, most by a Coug since Ace Glass recorded 40 points against Arizona State on Nov. 25, 2025.
- Houston’s 18 points in the first half were the most by a Coug since Tómas Thrastarson (also: 18 points on Nov. 10, 2025 vs. St. Thomas).
- Jaylen Harrell made his first career start with a career-high 18 points.
- Mohamed Sanke recorded a team-high seven rebounds (five offensive) off the bench in 13 minutes played.
UP NEXT:
The Cougars will continue their road trip, traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to take on the Duquesne Dukes, Tuesday, November 10. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. PT with coverage on ESPN+.