In a Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal showdown, No. 22 Washington State delivered a commanding performance, securing a resounding 79-62 victory over Stanford on Thursday. Led by Isaac Jones’ 16 points and a balanced scoring effort, the second-seeded Cougars (24-8) showcased their prowess on the court and advanced to the semifinals.
Jones, alongside his scoring contribution, also grabbed six rebounds, playing a pivotal role in Washington State’s triumph over 10th-seeded Stanford (14-18). Myles Rice and Jaylen Wells added 14 points each, while also making significant contributions in rebounds, assists, and steals.
Despite concerns over his right shoulder soreness, Andrej Jakimovski put up 13 points for the Cougars, demonstrating resilience and determination on the court. Kymany Houinsou and Rueben Chinyelu contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, further solidifying Washington State’s balanced offensive attack.
On the opposing side, Stanford’s efforts were led by Spencer Jones, who recorded 22 points, supported by Brandon Angel’s 15 points and six rebounds. However, their contributions were not enough to overcome Washington State’s dominance throughout the game.
Washington State asserted control early on, embarking on a decisive 13-3 run to establish a commanding 37-22 lead in the first half. Jakimovski’s stellar performance, including two crucial 3-pointers during the run, propelled the Cougars to a comfortable 45-29 halftime advantage.
Maintaining their momentum into the second half, Washington State continued to extend their lead, outscoring Stanford 8-2 at the start of the half to further solidify their dominance on the court. Despite Stanford’s attempts to narrow the deficit, the Cougars responded emphatically, maintaining a sizable lead throughout the remainder of the game.
With a stellar shooting performance, Washington State capitalized on opportunities, making 50.8 percent of their shots from the field and outrebounding Stanford 39-25. The Cougars’ aggressive play also translated into success on the fast break, as they accumulated 17 fast-break points compared to Stanford’s two.
As the final buzzer sounded, Washington State emerged victorious with a convincing 79-62 win, showcasing their strength and resilience in the Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal. With their sights set on the semifinals, the Cougars look to continue their impressive run and make a statement in the tournament.
