Cougs Drop Close Contest to League-Leading Broncos

Saturday, February 7

Pullman, Wash.

3 p.m.

Washington State University

11-15,6-7WCC

Santa Clara

21-5,12-1WCC

Santa Clara

Washington St.

Photo by: Bob Hubner

February 07, 2026 | Men's Basketball

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By: WSU Athletic Communications

PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State men's basketball team lost to the Santa Clara Broncos, 92-96, Saturday afternoon at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars kept pace with Santa Clara, the top team in the West Coast Conference, thanks to efficient field goal shooting and five players scoring in double figures, but could not overcome a 30-point, 13-rebound double-double from the Broncos' Allen Graves.

For the seventh time this season, the Cougars scored 90+ points, led by junior Eemeli Yalaho with 21 points and 20 points from freshman Ace Glass. The Cougars shot 54 percent from the field and tallied 18 assists on 33 field goals. However, Santa Clara matched a WSU opponent season high with 37 field goals and shot 56 percent from the floor.

In a game that featured 10 ties and 16 lead changes, WSU never took the lead in the second half, despite a 49-49 deadlock at halftime. The Broncos took the lead out of the locker rooms and kept Wazzu at bay until under five minutes remaining. With just over four minutes remaining, Washington State pulled within one point thanks to a 3-pointer from Rihards Vavers, who contributed 12 points and matched his career high with seven rebounds.

Over the final four minutes, WSU pulled within a single possession twice, but the Broncos finished 4-of-7 at the line to hold out for the win. Playing off the bench, SCU's Graves dropped 30 points, the most by an individual opponent this season, and added 13 rebounds for the double-double. The performance skewed the bench contributions, giving SCU a 48-19 advantage in rotation scoring.

ND Okafor finished with 13 points and a team-best eight rebounds. Okafor added three blocked shots, his third-consecutive game with as many rejections. Senior guard Adria Rodriguez added a career-best 10 points and added three rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Washington State is back to action quickly, traveling north to face nationally-ranked Gonzaga, Tuesday, February 10, at 8 p.m. The Cougars will visit McCarthy Athletic Center in a return trip after the Zags beat the Cougs, January 15, in Pullman. Tuesday's contest will be carried on ESPN2.