Washington State delivered a resounding 104-74 victory over Portland at Beasley Coliseum, exceeding the predicted margin of 8 points. Eemeli Yalaho led the charge with an impressive 26 points and 9 rebounds, setting the tone for the Cougars' dominant performance. The predicted score of 80-72 was shattered, as Washington State's offense clicked on all cylinders, scoring 53 points in the first half and 51 in the second.
Yalaho's performance was complemented by Rihards Vavers, who chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds, and ND Okafor, who added 15 points. The trio's collective effort propelled Washington State to a 22-point lead at halftime, with the score reading 53-31 in favor of the Cougars. Portland's Joel Foxwell tried to keep his team afloat, scoring 21 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide.
The second half saw Washington State continue to pour it on, with the Cougars' lead ballooning to as many as 30 points. Portland's James O'Donnell and Cameron Williams provided some scoring punch, but it was too little, too late. The Pilots' 43 points in the second half were not enough to overcome the deficit, and Washington State cruised to a 30-point victory.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's prediction of a Washington State win by 8 points proved correct, although the actual margin far exceeded expectations. The Cougars' dominant performance will undoubtedly boost their resume, particularly given that this was a Quadrant 4 game for them. With a current net ranking of 142, Washington State want to build on this momentum to strengthen their tournament chances.
For Portland, this loss drops them to 10-14 on the season and deals a blow to their already slim tournament hopes. As a Quadrant 3 game for the Pilots, the loss will not be overly damaging, but it does highlight the need for them to string together some wins to get back on track. With a current net ranking of 222, Portland faces an uphill battle to regain traction.
The implications of this result are clear: Washington State has taken a significant step forward, while Portland has stumbled. As the season enters its final stretch, the Cougars want to capitalize on this momentum to make a push for the tournament. With their dominant performance against Portland, they have certainly made a statement, and their resume is all the stronger for it.