Santa Clara Holds Off Washington State 96-92 Behind Allen Graves' Dominant Performance

Santa Clara's Allen Graves stole the show at Beasley Coliseum, leading his team to a 96-92 victory over Washington State. Graves' impressive 30 points and 13 rebounds were the driving force behind Santa Clara's win, as they improved their record to 21-5. Washington State, despite a strong effort from Eemeli Yalaho, who scored 21 points, fell to 11-15.

The first half was a high-scoring affair, with both teams putting up 49 points. Santa Clara's offense was clicking, with Graves and Christian Hammond combining for 26 points in the opening period. Washington State's Yalaho and Ace Glass kept their team in the game, scoring 15 and 12 points, respectively, in the first half. The second half saw Santa Clara maintain their lead, albeit narrowly, as they outscored Washington State 47-43.

CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Santa Clara winning by 9.4 points, and while the actual margin was smaller, the predicted winner was correct. The game played out differently than expected, with both teams exceeding their predicted scores by a significant margin. Santa Clara's high-powered offense was on full display, and they needed every bit of it to hold off a resilient Washington State team.

Yalaho's 21 points led the way for Washington State, with Glass adding 20 points and ND Okafor chipping in 13 points and 8 rebounds. However, it was Graves who took center stage, dominating the paint and the glass to lead Santa Clara to the win. His 30 points and 13 rebounds were a reflection of his skill and athleticism, and he was instrumental in Santa Clara's victory.

This win has real consequences for Santa Clara's tournament resume. As a Quadrant 3 win, it may not be the most impressive victory, but it is still a valuable addition to their portfolio. For Washington State, the loss is a Quadrant 2 defeat, which could potentially hurt their chances of making a deep run in the tournament. However, with a current NET ranking of 136, Washington State still has work to do to improve their standing.

The outcome of this game reinforces Santa Clara's position as a strong contender in their conference. With their NET ranking currently sitting at 40, they are well-positioned to make a run in the tournament. Washington State, on the other hand, must regroup and focus on their remaining games to try and improve their chances.