In a thrilling Pac-12 showdown at Beasley Coliseum, the Washington State Cougars showcased their defensive prowess, limiting the Colorado Buffaloes to 38.6% shooting from the field. Forwards Isaac Jones and Jaylen Wells both recorded double-doubles, propelling the Cougars to a 78-69 victory on Saturday, January 27th. The Cougars, now boasting a 11-2 home record for the season, have won five of their last seven games.
Meanwhile, Colorado entered the contest riding a four-game winning streak, but the resilient defense of Washington State stifled the Buffaloes’ offensive rhythm. Washington State’s dominance in the paint was evident as center Rueben Chinyelu contributed three blocks off the bench, part of a total of six blocks for the team. Despite the efforts of Colorado’s standout KJ Simpson, who scored 25 points on 7-11 shooting, the Cougars held their ground.
Freshman forward Cody Williams, a rising star for Colorado, was notably limited to just 6 points and 0-4 shooting. J’Vonne Hadley, who had a career-high 24 points in the previous win against Washington, struggled, managing only 2 points and a 1-6 shooting performance. The Buffaloes’ road woes continued, dropping their record to 1-5 in away games this season.
Jaylen Wells showcased his scoring ability with 17 points and 10 rebounds, frequently finding success from the elbow. Freshman point guard Myles Rice matched Wells with 17 points, including a crucial drive to the rim that extended the Cougars’ lead to 69-64 with 1:05 remaining. Isaac Jones, with a slow start in the first half, came alive in the second, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Photo Cred: KJCT
Both teams demonstrated ball control, with Washington State committing only 6 turnovers and Colorado 9. The foul shooting was commendable on both sides, with Colorado going 18-22 and Washington State 16-21. At halftime, Washington State led 38-30, extending their advantage to 48-36 early in the second half. Despite a spirited comeback attempt by the Buffaloes, highlighted by an 8-0 run, the Cougars responded with an 11-2 run of their own, ultimately securing a 78-69 victory.
The win is significant for Washington State, improving their overall record to 15-6 and 6-4 in the Pac-12. The Cougars are diligently working to bolster their resume for a potential NCAA tournament bid in March. Meanwhile, the Buffaloes find themselves in a tie for 4th place in the Pac-12 with the Cougars, both with a 15-6 overall record and a 6-4 conference record. Colorado aims to rebound on the road against the Utah Utes next Saturday, while the Cougars will head to Seattle to face the rival Washington Huskies in their next match up.
