Washington State University Athletics
Saturday, February 28
Malibu, Calif.
5 p.m.
Washington State University
12-19,7-11WCC
79
at
88
Pepperdine
9-22,4-14WCC
1
2
F
Washington St.
28
51
79
Pepperdine
36
52
88
WSU Men Fall to Pepperdine, 88-79
February 28, 2026 | Men's Basketball
MALIBU, Calif. – Washington State dropped an 88-79 decision to Pepperdine in the regular season finale at Firestone Fieldhouse, falling to 12-19 overall and 7-11 in the league. The Cougars scored 51 second-half points and Ace Glass led four double-digit Cougar scorers with a team-high 22 points.
Glass finished 9-of-21 from the floor, matching his career high in attempts, and delivered his tenth 20-point game. ND Okafor posted his second-career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, grabbing 10 rebounds for the second time this season. Rihards Vavers added 13 points on 3-of-8 shooting from three, marking his 11th-straight game in double figures. Jerone Morton chipped in 11 points before fouling out in the final minute.
Washington State made 28 field goals with 16 assists, while attempting a season-high 71 field goals. The Cougars connected on 10-of-33 attempts from beyond the arc, the 13th game this season with 10+ three-pointers. The Cougars won the rebounding battle on the offensive glass, pulling down 17 offensive boards, and finished with 38 rebounds overall. Washington State scored 17 points off turnovers, but were outscored 50-32 in the paint.
The Cougars trailed by eight at halftime but kept pace in the second half. Washington State trimmed the deficit to six on several occasions down the stretch but could not complete the comeback, with Pepperdine going to the free throw line to close it out — making 21-of-24 on the night.
Washington State will await the outcomes of the final West Coast Conference games and will enter the Credit Union 1 WCC Championships, Friday, March 6, in the second round. The Cougars will play as either the No. 7 seed or the No. 8 seed at Orleans Arena Friday evening.
Glass finished 9-of-21 from the floor, matching his career high in attempts, and delivered his tenth 20-point game. ND Okafor posted his second-career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, grabbing 10 rebounds for the second time this season. Rihards Vavers added 13 points on 3-of-8 shooting from three, marking his 11th-straight game in double figures. Jerone Morton chipped in 11 points before fouling out in the final minute.
Washington State made 28 field goals with 16 assists, while attempting a season-high 71 field goals. The Cougars connected on 10-of-33 attempts from beyond the arc, the 13th game this season with 10+ three-pointers. The Cougars won the rebounding battle on the offensive glass, pulling down 17 offensive boards, and finished with 38 rebounds overall. Washington State scored 17 points off turnovers, but were outscored 50-32 in the paint.
The Cougars trailed by eight at halftime but kept pace in the second half. Washington State trimmed the deficit to six on several occasions down the stretch but could not complete the comeback, with Pepperdine going to the free throw line to close it out — making 21-of-24 on the night.
Washington State will await the outcomes of the final West Coast Conference games and will enter the Credit Union 1 WCC Championships, Friday, March 6, in the second round. The Cougars will play as either the No. 7 seed or the No. 8 seed at Orleans Arena Friday evening.
Team Stats
WSU
PEP
FG%
.394
.456
3FG%
.303
.263
FT%
.813
.875
RB
38
43
TO
14
13
STL
7
11
Game Leaders
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
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