Washington State Cougars Secure Crucial Win Over Mercer Before Holiday Break

The Washington State Cougars men’s basketball team secured an 87-78 victory over the Mercer Bears. The game was played at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman on Saturday. It was the team’s final non-conference matchup before the Christmas break. The win improves Washington State’s record to 5-8 this season.

Head coach David Riley’s squad now carries a two-game winning streak into the holiday. The Washington State Cougars showed resilience against a persistent Mercer team. According to ESPN’s game statistics, strong performances from key players made the difference.

Cougars Overcome Tough First Half for Hard-Fought Victory

Washington State struggled to pull away in the first half. ND Okafor put the Cougars on the board early. Mercer’s Baraka Okojie and Armani Mighty kept the game tight.

The Bears won the battle in the paint early on. This gave them more offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Ace Glass hit a jump shot to give WSU a slim 41-39 halftime lead.

The second half saw the Cougars finally create separation. Guard Rihards Vavers caught fire from beyond the arc. He hit four three-pointers to help stretch the lead to 14 points.

Key Players Step Up to Seal the Game for Washington State

Mercer made a late push to threaten the Cougars’ lead. Connor Serven scored six quick points to cut the deficit to six. That happened with just over a minute left in the game.

The Bears’ final shot attempt missed its mark. This sealed the 87-78 victory for Washington State. The team showed composure in closing out a close contest.

Guard Ace Glass led all scorers with 24 points. He added five rebounds and two assists. Forward Eemeli Yalaho contributed 14 points and nine rebounds.

Rihards Vavers finished with 12 points, all from three-point range in the second half. To Thrastarson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points and eight boards. This balanced scoring effort proved decisive.

The Washington State Cougars demonstrated important growth by finishing strong, setting a positive tone as they prepare for the rigorous West Coast Conference schedule ahead.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Who was the leading scorer for Washington State?

Ace Glass led the Cougars with 24 points in the win. He also contributed five rebounds and two assists during the game. His scoring was crucial throughout the contest.

Q2: How did the Cougars pull away in the second half?

Guard Rihards Vavers hit four three-pointers after halftime. This shooting burst helped extend the Washington State lead to 14 points. It provided the cushion needed to withstand Mercer’s late run.

Q3: What is Washington State’s record now?

The team’s record improved to 5-8 with this victory. It marks their second consecutive win. They now enter a short break for the Christmas holiday.

Q4: When is the Cougars’ next game?

Washington State’s next game is on Saturday, December 28th. They will travel to face the Portland Pilots. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 PM Pacific Time.

Q5: Why was this win important for the team?

It provides momentum heading into the conference schedule. Winning the final non-conference home game boosts team morale. Building a winning streak is key for confidence.

Trusted Sources

ESPN Game Statistics, Washington State Athletics.