Cougars Claw Past Golden Bears at Beasley Coliseum in Dominant Display

The Washington State Cougars, with a commanding performance, outscored the California Golden Bears 84-65. The Cougars' record now stands at an impressive 1-0 as they opened their account with a victory, while the Golden Bears fell to 0-1 after this encounter.

From the outset, the Cougars established dominance on their home court at Beasley Coliseum. The first half saw them put up a solid 36 points against the Golden Bears' 24. But it was in the second half where they truly shone, adding an overwhelming 48 points to their tally compared to California's improved yet insufficient 41.

The Cougars showcased superior shooting accuracy throughout the game with an impressive field goal percentage of 55 percent and were particularly effective from close range, hitting two-point shots at a remarkable rate of 60 percent. Their prowess from beyond the arc was also notable as they sank six three-pointers at a rate of 40 percent.

Defensively, Washington State was just as formidable. They amassed seven blocks and five steals over the course of play. This defensive solidity contributed to their ability to score ten fast break points and twelve points off turnovers – matching what California managed in that regard despite having eight steals themselves.

Rebounding was another area where Washington State excelled; they outrebounded California by a significant margin with thirty-nine rebounds compared to twenty-eight for their opponents. This included ten offensive boards which led directly to twelve second-chance points – again showcasing their efficiency when given additional opportunities.

Assists were another highlight for Washington State; fourteen assists demonstrated effective ball movement against California's eight assists throughout both halves of play. Moreover, despite committing one more personal foul than California (fifteen versus fourteen), this did not significantly impact Washington State's control over proceedings or momentum during key stretches of gameplay.

Looking ahead for fans of Washington State Cougars basketball: The team is set to face off against Stanford Cardinal on February 17th at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Scheduled for a tip-off time of 3:00 PM local time (Pacific Time Zone), supporters can catch all action live on Pac-12 Network as both teams vie for supremacy on court once again.