For such a revival to take place, the Cougars would be wise to air out the stench left in Spokane Arena after Thursday’s men’s basketball game.
On the first night of league play in the Pacific-12 Conference, the Cougars were dominated in virtually every facet of play in a 92-75 loss to Oregon. A crowd of 9,889 watched in muffled silence much of the way before many fans made an early exit.
For all intents and purposes, the Cougars made an early exit when they fell behind 54-34 at halftime after permitting Oregon to shoot 71 percent from the field.
The Ducks cooled off to 67 percent shooting in the second half to finish at 69 percent (34 for 49).
“That first half, it looked like a clinic offensively,” WSU coach Ken Bone said.
Of course, Bone noted, “there was no real pressure” defensively.”
“We have to play like a team,” WSU tri-captain Marcus Capers said. “Some individuals felt like they could do their own deal. That’s not what Washington State basketball is about.”
No WSU opponent had scored as many points in a half or game or shot for as high a percentage this season. The Cougars, playing a lightweight preconference schedule, had been leading the Pac-12 in field-goal percentage defense at 38.2.
The Cougars (8-5), who were riding a six-game winning streak, suffered their most decisive loss of the season despite a season-high 19-point effort from DaVonte Lacy. The freshman guard from Curtis High School drained all five of his 3-point shots in the first half, then missed his only other trey attempt.
“Everybody has those nights,” Lacy said. “They (the Ducks) were feelin’ it all night.”
No one was “feelin’ it” more than Oregon forward Olu Ashaolu. A senior transfer from Louisiana Tech, Ashaolu came off the bench to to register season-highs of 23 points (on 9-of-11 shooting) and 10 rebounds.
Ashaolu, like many of the Ducks (10-3), was quicker and more athletic than most of the players WSU has been facing. Ashaolu had been averaging just 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds, but he dominated inside.
“That’s where I call home on the basketball court,” Ashaolu said. “My teammates did a good job of getting the basketball to me.”
Talented Oregon guard Joseph Devoe, a senior transfer from Minnesota, had 17 points and seven assists.
Devoe and Ashaolu were teammates on the Canadian national junior team.
Reggie Moore had 14 points for WSU. Faisal Aden, who was leading the Cougars with 15.3 points per game, had four points on 2-for-10 shooting.
The Cougars face Oregon State (10-3, 0-1 Pac-12) on Saturday at Spokane Arena. Root Sports will televise the 3 p.m. game.
