Washington State Stuns Seattle U in 12-Point Upset Victory

In a shocking turn of events, Washington State pulled off a significant upset at Beasley Coliseum, defeating Seattle U 70-58. The Cougars, led by Rihards Vavers' outstanding 24-point performance, dominated the Redhawks from start to finish, defying expectations and securing a crucial non-conference victory. This win is all the more impressive considering Seattle U's respectable 14-9 record and net ranking of 122, making this a substantial scalp for Washington State.

At halftime, Washington State held a six-point lead, 36-30, thanks in large part to Vavers' 12 first-half points. The Cougars' offense continued to click in the second half, with Ace Glass and ND Okafor contributing 14 and 13 points, respectively. Okafor also hauled in eight rebounds, helping Washington State control the paint and limit Seattle U's scoring opportunities. On the other side, Brayden Maldonado led the Redhawks with 12 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cougars' balanced attack.

Notably, CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Washington State winning by a slim 1.9-point margin, 74-72. While the final score didn't match the predicted total, the Cougars' victory validated the forecast. In reality, Washington State's 12-point margin of victory far exceeded expectations, underscoring the significance of this upset.

The implications of this result are substantial, particularly for Washington State's tournament resume. This win falls into Quadrant 3 for both teams, but it's a vital addition to the Cougars' portfolio, given their current net ranking of 151. By defeating a respectable opponent like Seattle U, Washington State has bolstered its chances of earning a postseason berth. Conversely, the loss may sting for Seattle U, which had been riding a solid season. The Redhawks must regroup and refocus to maintain their position in the tournament conversation.

As the season enters its critical phase, Washington State's upset victory serves as a reminder that anything can happen on any given night. The Cougars' ability to rise to the occasion and take down a formidable foe like Seattle U demonstrates their potential to make noise in the tournament. While there's still much work to be done, this win has undoubtedly strengthened Washington State's resume and injected new life into their postseason aspirations. For Seattle U, the task now is to bounce back from this setback and prove that this loss was an aberration rather than a trend.