Did Washington State Cougars' Fast Breaks Fall Short Against Saint Mary's Gaels?

The Washington State Cougars faced off against the Saint Mary's Gaels at the University Credit Union Pavilion, resulting in an 88-82 victory for the home team. This game left the Cougars with a record of 0-1, while the Gaels improved to 1-0. The match was marked by several lead changes and no ties, showcasing a competitive spirit from both sides.

First Half

In the first half, Saint Mary's took an early advantage with a strong offensive showing, scoring 50 points compared to Washington State's 38. The Gaels capitalized on their three-point shooting accuracy of 47 percent and maintained control with effective ball movement that resulted in 19 assists throughout the game. Despite this, Wazzu managed to keep pace through their fast break opportunities, contributing significantly to their score.

Second Half

The second half saw a resurgence from Wazzu as they outscored Saint Mary's by six points. Eemeli Yalaho played a pivotal role for the Cougs with his consistent performance on both ends of the court. However, despite scoring efficiently inside with a two-point percentage of 73 percent and dominating fast breaks with 27 points from such plays, it wasn't enough to overcome Saint Mary's overall efficiency.

Game-Changing Plays

A critical moment came when Washington State's defense forced turnovers leading to quick transition baskets; however, these efforts were countered by Saint Mary’s ability to convert free throws at a perfect rate of 100 percent. The Gaels' bench also contributed effectively with key plays that helped maintain their lead during crucial stretches.

Post-Game Analysis

Reflecting on what went wrong for Washington State Cougars reveals missed opportunities in defensive rebounds and allowing too many open shots beyond the arc for their opponents. Despite these challenges, there were positive takeaways such as Ace Glass's impressive field goal percentage and Jerone Morton's all-around contributions which included nine assists.

Looking ahead in our post-game report Washington State Cougars will host Gonzaga Bulldogs at Beasley Coliseum on January 15th at 10:00 PM EDT where fans can catch all action live on CBS Sports Network. Share your thoughts about this matchup!