WSU Basketball | Cougs move to 4-0 with a 87-68 over Alaska Anchorage

Washington State men's basketball took their perfect 3-0 start on the season up north to the Great Alaska Shootout. Once again the Cougs played a nice game defeating Alaska Anchorage by a final score of 87-68. This is the fourth consecutive season WSU has started their schedule 4-0.

Coach Ken Bone had his team prepared for a physical game inside and they responded against the Division II Seawolves.

When the Cougs were in their half court offense, crisp passing led to good looks. As often as possible, WSU looked for transition baskets.

After four games, Coach Bone has molded a team that bears little resemblance to Cougar basketball of the past few years. This team is always looking to push the ball upcourt. When an opening isn't available for a transition score, there is a significant change in their half court offense. If a player gets a good, open look they shoot the rock regardless of the shot clock.

Alaska Anchorage couldn't find any answers to slow down sophomore Klay Thompson. Thompson just missed his season average of 27 with a total of 25 points on the night. Thompson filled out the stat sheet with huge numbers. He earned a  team-high 25 points, 38 minutes, 7 rebounds and tied Reggie Moore with 4 assists.

As stats go, this game was typical for Washington State in terms of scoring. The Cougs were averaging 83 points in the first three games. On the other side of the state sheet, WSU has been giving up 65. Then again, Coach Bone's team hasn't faced a powerhouse opponent yet, something likely to change if they make it to the finals of the Great Alaska Shootout. There are some very good teams in the other pool.

Tonight was a game loaded with career high performances for Washington State.

· Reggie Moore had a career-high 17 points coming off the bench.

· Abe Lodwick made his fist 3-pointer of the season and made multiple 3-pointers in a game for the first time in his career…he finished with a career-high nine points.

· Michael Harthun and Xavier Thames got their first career starts for the Cougars.

· Charlie Enquist played a career-high 16 minutes.

· Michael Harthun attempted a career-high six free throws…converted on a career-high three free throws.

· John Allen played a career-high six minutes.

Reggie Moore didn't start tonight at point guard. Coach Bone said after the game Moore and Marcus Capers were a minute late for the morning bus to head over for a shoot around. "If you’re not on time, you don’t start", said Bone.

Xavier Thames got the start against the Seawolves when Moore lost the opportunity. Thames found himself in foul trouble early and clearly was off his game.

I feel bad for X because he’s had very good games. He’s played very solid basketball every night out. Then tonight was definitely his worst game of the year. I don’t really know the reason why, but he’ll be back Friday night and he’ll play well. I know that." - WSU Coach Ken Bone

Thames wasn't the only Coug off their game tonight. DeAngelo Casto seemed to struggle at both ends of the court. Casto's shooting was off, making 3-8 from the field and finishing with a total of 10 points. He's been aggressively looking to score in the first three games. That wasn't the case tonight.

We kept going to him and they kept banging him around. In all fairness I think there were a couple of times he could have gone to the line but he didn’t and you can’t let that effect you. It’s not going to change. He’s our Aron Baynes from last year. He’s going to get a lot of attention and he’s going to have to deal with it." - Coach Bone

Overall, Coach Bone was pleased with the team's performance in their first road game of the year. Getting to the free throw line for 38 attempts reflected the new, aggressive style of the WSU offense. "All in all, that’s impressive. I like it when we get to the free throw line", said Bone.

That wasn't the highlight of the game for Coach Bone though. Surprisingly, he seemed most pleased by what transpired in the locker room after the final buzzer.

I asked (the team) what they thought and actually Klay (Thompson) was the first one to speak up. He said, ‘We had a chance when we got up on them 16 points to bury them and get them down by 25 or 30 and we didn’t do it.’ I’m not only happy that someone would bring that up, but especially Klay." - Coach Bone

Nice win for Washington State.

One game at a time though.

Next up this Friday will be Nicholls State at 6pm PST televised on FSN Northwest.

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