SPOKANE, Wash. – The Washington State men's basketball team lost to No. 12 Gonzaga, 53-83, Tuesday evening at McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington. The Cougars endured their lowest scoring-half of the season with 21 first-half points, rallying in the second half with a trio of double-digit scorers.
 
Jerone Morton led Washington State with 15 points, including 5-of-5 at the free throw line, but the Cougars were held to a season-low 53 points. WSU finished 34-of-62 for the game, shooting over 50% from the floor in the second half after being held to 26% shooting in the opening period.
 
Washington State struggled to control the ball with 21 turnovers, just the second time with as many giveaways this season and delivered seven assists with six coming in the second half. Rihards Vavers complemented Morton in scoring, delivering 14 points, his seventh-straight game in double figures. Ace Glass added 12 points in his 23rd double-digit game of his rookie season.
 
In the first half, WSU made just six field goals compared to 21 buckets from Gonzaga. WSU entered the locker room facing their largest deficit of the season, trailing by 27 points. The Cougars won twice this season when trailing by double digits, against Chaminade in the Maui Invitational and LMU in the first WCC home game.
 
WSU suffered its worst loss of the season and grabbed a season-low 21 rebounds, compared to 37 rebounds for the nationally-ranked Bulldogs. The Zags dominated the paint with 50 points compared to 22 paint points for the Cougs.
 
After playing four games in 11 days, the Cougars will get a one-week break before concluding their home regular-season schedule with a pair of games next week. WSU will host Pacific, Wednesday, February 18, before celebrating Senior Night, Saturday, February 21, against Saint Mary's.