The Washington St. Cougars gave it a heck of a run and really impressed some folks around the country during their run to the CBI Championship Game without star forward Brock Motum, but the club fell in the closing moments to the Pittsburgh Panthers by a score of 71-65. Pitt shot upwards of 50% from the field and from behind the 3-point arc, and turned the ball over just three times.
Reggie Moore led the Cougars with 18 points, while Mike Ladd added 12 off the bench. DaVonte Lacy had 10 points and seven rebounds, and Abe Lodwick contributed with eight and five of his own. As a team, WSU shot 52.5% from the field and made 19 of their 29 free throw attempts. It was simply poor defensive execution in the second half that cost them the game.
Pittsburgh had five scorers in double figures, and they did so without All-Conference guard Ashton Gibbs. Forward Lamar Patterson had a huge night for the Panthers, scoring 14 points, dishing out five assists and bringing down seven rebounds.
Washington State finished the season with a winning record of 19-18.
For more on the team and to reflect on the season, head on over to Coug Center.