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Did Washington State Cougars' Bench Power Overwhelm Pepperdine Waves at Beasley Coliseum?

The Washington State Cougars improved their record to 12-8 with a decisive 95-79 victory over the Pepperdine Waves, who now stand at 10-10. The game, held at Beasley Coliseum, showcased the depth and versatility of the Cougs' roster.


Feb 23, 2023; Stanford, California, USA;  Washington State Cougars forward Andrej Jakimovski (23) dribbles the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

First Half


In the opening half, Wazzu set a commanding tone by scoring 47 points. Their offensive strategy was evident as they capitalized on three-point opportunities, shooting an impressive 43 percent from beyond the arc. Eemeli Yalaho contributed significantly with his sharp shooting and defensive presence. The Cougs also demonstrated their prowess in ball movement with a total of 20 assists throughout the game.


Second Half


The second half saw no let-up from Wazzu as they added another 48 points to their tally. Simon Hildebrandt emerged as a key player off the bench, adding crucial points that helped maintain their lead. The bench's contribution was substantial, accounting for 36 points overall. This depth proved too much for Pepperdine to handle.


Pepperdine Waves Performance


Despite being outplayed by Wazzu's dynamic offense and defense, Pepperdine managed to put up a fight with notable performances in field goals where they shot at an efficient rate of 54 percent overall. However, turnovers plagued them throughout the match; they committed a total of 15 turnovers which were converted into valuable points by Washington State.


Post-game Analysis


The Washington State Cougars vs Pepperdine Waves final score reflects not just individual brilliance but also cohesive team play that overwhelmed their opponents. According to Washington State Cougars coach post-game reaction, maintaining such intensity across both halves was pivotal for this win.


Looking ahead, fans can catch Wazzu in action against Seattle Redhawks on January 28th at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman at approximately 9:30 PM EDT on ESPN+. Share this article if you enjoyed reading about this exciting matchup!

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