Washington State MBB Drop Apple Cup Matchup at Washington 89-73

On December 19, 2024By Littum

Washington State men’s basketball’s winning streak will end at three games after the Cougars dropped an 89-73 decision against Washington in Seattle on Wednesday.

Turnovers mostly doomed the Cougs in the loss, with WSU committing 22 of them compared to seven for the hosts. Washington scored 24 points off turnovers in this game. Head coach David Riley’s team also shot just 43.1% from the floor, connecting on six of 20 shots from beyond the three-point line. WSU totaled 12 assists on 25 made baskets. Riley called it his team’s worst passing game of the year.

“I’m going to watch the film. I’m going to reevaluate,” Riley said after the game. “I just think it was really disappointing for us to come into a big game like this and not be able to move the ball like we needed to.”

Nate Calmese led the Cougs in scoring against his former team, finishing with 21 points along with five rebounds and three assists. LeJuan Watts and Ethan Price both also scored in double figures with 15 and 16 points, respectively.

The Cougs fall to 9-3 overall after their first true road loss of the year. WSU returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 21 against a 7-4 Northern Iowa team at 1 p.m. Pacific in Las Vegas as part of the Holiday Hoops Classic.

“I think it’s really important for us to have a good game and play the right way into the Christmas break,” Riley noted. “Obviously this hurts… we have some work to do and it’s going to be one heck of a fight here in a few days.”

More reading material from Washington State Cougars on SI