Washington State dominated Pepperdine from the opening tip, building a 10-point halftime lead and never looking back en route to a 95-79 victory at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars' balanced attack, led by Simon Hildebrandt's 19 points, proved too much for the Waves to handle. Hildebrandt was one of three Washington State players to score in double figures, joined by Ace Glass with 18 points and 5 assists, and Rihards Vavers with 16 points.
Pepperdine's Styles Phipps did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 25 points and dishing out 5 assists. However, the Waves' supporting cast was unable to match the Cougars' depth and firepower. Danilo Dožic added 19 points for Pepperdine, while Aaron Clark chipped in with 17 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
The Cougars' strong first half set the tone for the game, as they took a 47-37 lead into the break. Washington State continued to push the pace in the second half, outscoring Pepperdine 48-42 to seal the 16-point victory. The win marked a strong performance by the Cougars, who had been predicted to win by 11 points by CHD Scout. In reality, they exceeded that margin, winning by 16 points.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The game was a Quadrant 4 contest for Washington State, which can sometimes be a trap game for teams looking ahead to tougher opponents. However, the Cougars avoided any letdown, taking care of business against a Pepperdine team that was facing a Quadrant 3 opponent. The win improves Washington State's record to 9-13, while Pepperdine falls to 6-16.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for Washington State's tournament resume. As a Quadrant 4 win, it may not carry significant weight, but it is still an important victory for a team looking to build momentum. The Cougars must continue to perform well in their remaining games to boost their chances of making a postseason run. For Pepperdine, the loss is another setback in a difficult season, and the Waves must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a late push.
In the end, Washington State's strong team performance and balanced attack proved too much for Pepperdine to handle. The Cougars' ability to score from multiple positions and control the tempo of the game made them a formidable opponent, and they want to carry this momentum into their next contest. As for Pepperdine, they must find a way to overcome their struggles and start stringing together some wins if they hope to turn their season around. The loss to Washington State is a setback, but it also serves as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for the Waves.